Mumbai: Leo Varadkar, the son of an Indian immigrant who came out as gay in 2015, will take over as the next Irish Prime Minister, after he was voted leader of the country’s main governing party on Friday. His victory marks a significant step forward for equality in the country, after the 2015 gay marriage referendum.

The majority of Varadkar family had gathered at their home in Abhinav Nagar, Borivali, in anticipation of Leo’s victory. In the initial stages as Leo trailed to his rival Simon Coveney there was an anxiety among them. "However, we were confident of his win. Our confidence proved true as Leo later surged ahead of his rival. We are so proud of him," said cousin brother Shekhar Varadkar.

Another cousin, Vasant Varadkar said the entire family was glued to the television in his village Varad. Vasant said its like a dream come true for us. “Never in the history of India, a Maharashtrian person could become a PM. But Leo has the laurels of becoming a PM of Ireland,” he said. Leo Varadkar, a doctor by profession, was leading the race to become Ireland’s prime minister.

• Born: January 18, 1979 in Dublin, Ireland
• Nationality: Irish
• Education: Studied medicine at Trinity College, Dublin
• Political Party: Fine Gael
• Represented Irish Parliament Dáil Éireann since 2007
• Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport: 2011–2014
• Minister for Health: 2014–2016
• Minister for Social Protection: 2016–present
• The first openly gay cabinet member in Ireland