Though for entirely different reasons, the left and right wings in the US and India are unable to remain composed as New York City prepares to welcome a new mayor of Indian descent.
On Tuesday night, Democratic state assemblyman Mamdani handed former governor and heavyweight Andrew Cuomo a humiliating loss. The contest between the 33-year-old Mamdani and the 67-year-old Cuomo was the most politically challenging to date, not because of the victories or defeats, but rather because of the radically different profiles and campaigns.
“Antisemitic, socialist, radical” have been some of the words tossed around in the campaign arm of Republicans. Back home, Kangana Ranaut says, “He sounds more Pakistani than Indian.” While Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi went a step ahead and called Mamdani, “Pakistan’s PR.” “When Zohran Mamdani opens his mouth, Pakistan’s PR team takes the day off. India doesn’t need enemies with ‘allies’ like him shouting fiction from New York,” the Congress leader wrote in a social media post. His win has not just the Indian but US mainstream media heavily criticising the development. So how did he score it?
Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Mamdani clinched not just the victory but several firsts, soon to be added to his political kitty. Mamdani would be the city’s first Muslim and Indian American Mayor. Soon after it became clear on Tuesday, June 24 that Mamdani would be the next mayor of NYC, Vice President JD Vance sent congratulations on social media to the “new leader of the Democratic Party.”
President Donald Trump, however, was characteristically blunt in acknowledging the win. “It’s finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100 per cent Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor.”
Also Read: Kangana Ranaut says Zohran Mamdani’s name ‘sounds Pakistani’
Campaign that resonated, unsettled conventional political beliefs
Cuomo, a heavyweight and a political veteran having been in the field since the 1990s, was supposed to stack the odds against Mamdani, who is a beginner and entered the political fray only in 2020 when he was elected to the New York State Assembly. Republican’s congressional campaign arm called him antisemitic and even radical.
“He is terrible,” ranted Donald Trump on his platform Truth Social holding nothing back, least of all, his displeasure. “We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks terrible, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, he’s got AOC+3, Dummies ALL backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is grovelling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country.”
A favour Mamdani returned in his victory speech to supporters where he vowed to use his mayoral power to “reject Donald Trump’s fascism.” “Tonight we made history. New Yorkers have stood up for a city they can afford,’ said Mamdani to a jubilant crowd of supporters. These elections haven’t been about left or right or centre for that matter. This election has been about change, priorities and economic issues that resonate, his supporters took over on social media and in interviews on the sidelines of the victory speech.
Mamdani’s gamble to appeal to the everyday concerns of New Yorkers could have easily fallen flat but it paid off. Commuting, food prices and strained infrastructure have been some of the strongly felt and least addressed concerns. He not only backed rent freezes, but also promised free bus services, government-run grocery stores to help the city residents combat inflation. A slick social media campaign; cheesy, cheerful and relatable further worked for him.
Mamdani can be seen walking the streets of New York with an unassuming cheer, talking to people, even cashing in on Bollywood moves and movies. In Mamdani’s expected win, lie some bigger lessons for Democrats, believe the US political analysts. “The lessons lie for Indian voters to focus on affordability and the Indian leaders to stand their ground,” reads a post on Indian social media. A few political influencers claiming to posts having been liked by Mamdani himself; especially where he is called the “right wing’s nightmare.”
Also Read: Zohran Mamdani aids Pak PR with his words: Abhishek Singhvi
So what makes Mamdani controversial?
As the news of his win did the rounds, so did his past clips from earlier this year where Mamdani compared Indian PM Narendra Modi to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu leaving the ruling party and India’s right wing ecosystem fuming. In 2023, ahead of PM Modi’s visit to New York, while Mamdani was a member of the New York State Assembly, the videos of him reading notes by jailed student activist Umar Khalid, went viral.
Also a staunch supporter of Palestinian rights, his critics are still baffled by the win in a city which has the largest Jewish population outside of Israel but also a sizable Muslim community. Which means the Israel-Palestine conflict carries a lot of leverage and resonance even during a municipal election.
Indian diaspora the world over is known to celebrate the wins of anyone with Indian roots and origins. But Mamdani has negated that social quirk too. With haters back home and in his country of origin, how did he clinch a historic victory? More importantly, what worked with the varied and finicky New York voters? Political candidates are infamous for taking U-turn on their stances, softening their stand and playing to the gallery but Mamdani has stayed obstinate in his beliefs.
His critics hope his will-power extends to his promises too and not just his opinions. His supporters believe that Mambani’s mother and filmmaker Mira Nair has in fact given them a ‘A Suitable Boy.’ As for his observers, they have learnt a lesson or two on how to leverage attention and unpopular opinions into campaigns and votes.
Also Read: Mamdani for New York Mayor doesn’t enthuse Indians much
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