UK Conservative politician Rishi Sunak faced an unfortunate defeat in the general election, failing to serve a second term as Prime Minister. Latest poll data showed that the Opposition Labour Party had won over 300 seats, while Sunak's Tories Party is ahead on 61. According to reports, Number 10 Downing Street has already been cleared out spick and span for the next Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. While addressing his supporters, Sunak acknowledged his defeat and expressed, "I am sorry. I take responsibility for the loss."
Speaking to his supporters in Richmond and Northern Allerton, the Indian-origin leader said, "The Labour Party has won this general election, and I've called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory. Today, power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner, with goodwill on all sides. That is something that should give us all confidence in our country's stability and future."
Sunak's wife Akshata Murty posted a simple but heartfelt message on Instagram, showing her support for him. "You have always had my vote," she wrote ahead of the election day. A day prior, Murty shared a family photograph with Sunak's parents, expressing, "It is always about family." The couple also visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple in Neasden, London, before the big day.
Who Is Akshata Murty?
Akshata is a prominent figure in both India and the United Kingdom owing to her high-profile family. Akshata Murthy is the daughter of Infosys-founder billionaire Narayana Murthy and engineer Sudha Murty; she is also the wife of top Indian-origin British politician Rishi Sunak who is currently plastered on global headlines for being elected as Britain’s first Prime Minister of colour.
Born into a business family to parents who have been frontrunners in the Indian information technology sector, Akshata Murty first made it to headlines in December 2020 when reports identified her as being richer than the Queen of England. As per an article that appeared in The Guardian, Sunak reportedly failed to declare his huge family wealth, courtesy of Murty whom he married in 2009, under the code of the UK's official register of ministers.
The exclusive estimated Murty's shares in her father's company Infosys to be worth £430 million, then roughly Rs 4200 crore, naming her as "one of the wealthiest women in Britain." She attracted controversy around that time for holding a five per cent share in International Market Management (IMM), a firm that used the controversial, but not illegal, route of funnelling investments through a letterbox company in Mauritius to reduce taxes paid in India.
As per her professional profile, Murty is the director of venture capital investment company Catamaran Ventures with which she has been associated since 2013. Founded by her father, it describes itself as a family office based out of Bangalore and London. She previously held top posts at UK-based companies New & Lingwood and Digme Fitness. Murty is the sole daughter of Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty. Akshata Murty has a brother named Rohan, who is the founder of the tech establishment Soroco.
Sunak's Political Career
Sunak was born on 12 May 1980 in Southampton to Indian parents Yashvir and Usha Sunak. He is the eldest of three siblings. His father Yashvir was born in Kenya and his mother Usha was born in Tanzania.
Sunak is a former banker and hedge fund manager. He was elected to the British Parliament in 2015 and was catapulted into the role of Chancellor in February 2020 when his predecessor Sajid Javid quit after losing a power struggle. Since then he has been in the public eye constantly. He served as the Prime Minister of Britain from 2022 to 2024.
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