London:

Oct 30 Rishi Sunak bowed out as UK Opposition Chief in Parliament on Wednesday with a reference to his profession’s Diwali milestones, being appointed the nation’s first Prime Minister of Indian heritage two years in the past throughout the Pageant of Lights.

The 44-year-old, who has been serving as interim chief of the Conservatives till a brand new Tory chief is elected after the celebration’s common election defeat in July, used his closing Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) within the Home of Commons for a light-hearted trade with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“I grew to become chief of my celebration throughout Diwali and I now stand down throughout that very same pageant,” stated Sunak.

“I am proud to have been the primary British Asian Prime Minister, and I’m even prouder that it was not that massive a deal; and that speaks volumes in regards to the values of the British folks, of our nation and of this Parliament. So will the Prime Minister be a part of me in applauding the kindness, decency and tolerance that has at all times been the British approach,” he stated.

It was throughout Diwali in October 2022 that Sunak, joined by spouse Akshata and daughters Krishna and Anoushka, entered 10 Downing Avenue and went on to adorn its steps with diyas and rangoli for 2 consecutive years.

PM Starmer stated all sections of the British Parliament have been proud to have had Sunak “representing our various nation” as prime minister. He additionally paid tribute to the outgoing Opposition Chief’s “arduous work, dedication and decency” regardless of their many political disagreements.

“I want everybody celebrating within the UK and all over the world a joyful Diwali, a time to return collectively to have fun and give attention to a brighter future,” stated Starmer.

“Final Diwali, the Chief of the Opposition (Sunak) and his household lit the diyas outdoors 10 Downing Avenue. It was a major second in our nationwide story. The primary British Asian Prime Minister is a reminder that this can be a nation the place folks of each background have fulfilled their desires, and it makes us all proud to be British,” added PM Starmer, who adopted up the pattern set by his Indian-origin predecessor to gentle diyas on the steps of 10 Downing Avenue on Tuesday night to mark Diwali.

Alluding to some media hypothesis round his relocation plans to California, Sunak jokingly reiterated his intention to take his place on the backbenches of the Commons as member of Parliament for Richmond and Northallerton in Yorkshire.

“Immediately is my final look at PMQs and I’m comfortable to substantiate stories that I’ll now be spending extra time within the best place on earth, the place the surroundings is certainly worthy of a film set and all people is a personality – that is proper, if anybody wants me, I will likely be in Yorkshire,” he stated, evoking a lot laughter amongst his parliamentary colleagues.

The Tory management election is about to conclude on Saturday, when one among Sunak’s former Cupboard colleagues – Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick – will likely be declared chief of the Conservatives to take Sunak’s place as Chief of the Opposition. 

(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)