Rishi Sunak launches bid to succeed Boris Johnson as UK PM
London, Jul 8: Rishi Sunak, the former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Friday formally launched his leadership bid to succeed Boris Johnson as the new Conservative Party leader and future British Prime Minister.
The British Indian minister, who resigned from Johnson's Cabinet earlier this week setting off events in motion that ultimately led to his resignation, becomes the highest-profile Tory member of Parliament yet to throw his hat in the ring for the leadership race.
"Someone has to grip this moment and make the right decisions," he said in a social media video launching his campaign.
The 42-year-old MP and son-in-law of Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy has long been seen as an heir apparent to Johnson at 10 Downing Street and is believed to have garnered the support of a significant chunk of the Conservative Party to launch his candidacy.
We need to make sure that's not the end of the British Indian story. There's lots more we can achieve. There's lots more we can do. And I'm really excited about the future, he told reporters last week, when asked if he could go on to be the first Indian-origin Prime Minister of the UK.
I’m standing to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and your Prime Minister.
— Ready For Rishi (@RishiSunak) July 8, 2022
Let’s restore trust, rebuild the economy and reunite the country. #Ready4Rishi
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Udhayanidhi accuses BJP of not releasing funds for TN
Gobichettipalayam (PTI): Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday charged the BJP government at the Centre with not releasing funds to the state and accused it of "snatching" TN's rights.
Addressing a poll rally at Gobichettipalayam in the western Erode district, the DMK youth wing chief claimed the Centre has not released funds to the tune of Rs 3,000 crore for education.
"They (union government) have snatched all our rights," he charged.
With regard to the Centre's proposal for delimitation, he said chief minister M K Stalin was the first person in the country to raise the voice against the union government's move. He claimed that it was a "huge victory" for the INDIA alliance, as the bill was defeated for lack of majority after the opposition voted against it in the Lok Sabha.
Listing out various welfare measures implemented by the DMK government, he said the existing "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai" (monthly financial assistance for women) will be doubled to Rs 2,000 if DMK was voted to power again.
The deputy chief minister charged that the BJP and AIADMK have tried to stall it by moving the court. "At present more than 1.3 crore women have benefited from the scheme", he said.
"Similarly, the breakfast scheme for the government school students will be extended till Class VIII", he said adding "more than 35 lakh college students across the state will be getting free laptops once the DMK government is formed".
Udhayanidhi also pointed out at the "Illatharasi" poll promise, providing Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to non-income tax paying women where they could buy or replace any household appliances of their choice.
Elections to 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will be held on April 23 and the results declared on May 4 following counting of polled votes.
