Rishi Sunak will be the next prime minister of the United Kingdom after challenger Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the contest on Monday. Sunak has become the first person of Indian origin to become the British prime minister.

The wheels turned in favour of Sunak after Priti Patel, a loyalist of former British prime minister Boris Johnson, on Monday came out in support of Sunak to take over at 10 Downing Street as the Conservative Party leader after her former boss withdrew from the leadership contest.

The Indian-origin former home secretary, who resigned from the Cabinet when Liz Truss was elected the prime minister last month, said the Tories must put political differences aside to give Sunak the best chance of succeeding as the new leader.

“In these difficult times for our country we must unite by putting public service first and work together,” tweeted Patel. “We care about our country and with the enormous challenges upon us we must put political differences aside to give Rishi Sunak the best chance of succeeding,” she said.

It came alongside her Diwali tweet, with images of the senior Tory MP at a temple lighting candles.

“The Hindu Festival of Light, is an auspicious and joyous festival. It is a time for self-reflection, family, friends and service to others. I wish everyone a very blessed and happy Diwali,” she said.