Zohran Mamdani, an Indian American, has become mayor of the most important city in America, New York. The democrats have swept the elections held on November 4, 2025 in the US defeating the Republicans. The aggressive US president Donald Trump has been delivered a slap in the face by the voters.
A Setback for PM Modi and a Nod to Nehru
In a way, it can also be said to be a setback to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi whom Mamdani, a democratic socialist, criticized in the run up to the elections. In his victory address Mamdani has quoted the first prime minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous speech ‘The Tryst With Destiny ‘which was delivered by Nehru, a Modi’s bête noire, at the dawn of Indian independence. “Thank you to the new generation of New York. We will fight for you because we are you,” said Mamdani who scripted history by becoming the youngest and first Indian-American Muslim mayor of New York. Bollywood song ‘Dhoom Machale…’ from Hindi movie ‘Dhoom’ was played by Mamdani’s enthusiastic supporters at the victory meet.
Youngest, First Indian-American Muslim Mayor
Just 34 years old Mamdani was born in Uganda to Indian parents who are very well known in the sub-continent. Meera Nair, his mother, is a renowned film maker and his father Mahamood Mamdani is a reputed academic. Mira Nair is known for directing independent dramas under the banner Mirabai films. “Salaam Bombay” was one of the classics directed by her. Mahamood is a professor in anthropology, politics and African studies at Columbia University in the US. He also served at vice-chancellor of Kampala International University of Uganda. Mira Nair shared Indian movie director Zoya Akhtar’s praise for her son on his electoral victory. Akhtar’s Instagram story was captioned “Zohran you beauty” with emojis of hearts and fireworks. Along with Mamdani, the democrats won two key state governor races. Democrat Abigail Spanberger became the Virginia’s first lady governor.
Democrats’ Big Win: A Message to Trump
In Virginia itself, Democrat Ghazala Hashmi won as the lieutenant governor defeating Republican John Reid. Democrat Corey O’Connor won election as mayor of Pittsburg defeating Republican nominee Tony Moreno. The voters gave an early warning to President Trump ahead of 2026 midterm polls. Mamdani defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and Replican Curtis Sliwa who is a critic of Trump. Donald Trump declared his support to Cuomo, a rebel Democrat who lost to Mamdani as a Democratic candidate and then chose to contest as independent. “The conventional wisdom would tell you that I am far from a perfect candidate. I am young, despite my best efforts to grow older. I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And more damning of all, I refuse to apologize for this,” Mamdani declared to a roaring crowd at his victory parade. “New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change. I will wake up each morning with a singular purpose to make this city better for you than it was the day before,” the new mayor promised to the ordinary New Yorkers.
Mamdani’s Bold Declaration
That he is a Muslim who is a radical and has criticized Narendra Modi’s policies has divided Indian American voter in the US. Before entering New York state assembly, Mamdani was hip-hop musician. He became the leading voice of American left. He created a coalition of working class Latino, Asian and Arab voters. Young white professionals also are part of his coalition. In his run up to elections he was called a communist, an Islamic jehadi, never held a responsible position and inexperienced. He fought for the downtrodden. He talked about ‘affordability’ and that was the reason he won. He worked in a deeply polarized landscape with MAGA (Make America Great Again) hubris and rabid liberalism practised by Donald Trump. As against this background, Mamdani highlighted the economic concerns of ordinary Americans. The centrists in the Democratic party were fearing the Mamdani’s identity as a Muslim, immigrant, political radical and leftist would be exploited by Trump and his fellow rightists. But those subscribing to the left ideology thought Mamdani was a God-sent candidate for the survival of the Democratic party.
The Woman Behind the Win
There is a woman behind Mamdani’s electoral victory too. She is his wife Rama Duwaji, 28 years old of Syrian origin, an incredible artist who is pro-Palestine. Mamdani and Rama were married some months ago after two years of engagement. She prefers to be in the background spending her time in artworks. But she was active in Mamdani’s website drawing his logo etc. There is an Umar Khalid in America as well. As Khalid, a student leader of Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, was put in jail for more than five years without any trial by Modi administration, Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestine activist, was locked up by Trump administration for months without being charged. He was freed only last week. Rama campaigned for his release.
With Zohran Mamdani calling his victory as a New York light in political darkness in his first speech as mayor, the American politics is changing. It remains to be seen what changes the election results would bring about in Trump’s attitude and working style.
Prominent Journalist
Dr. K. Ramachandra Murthy is a versatile journalist with a distinguished career. Dr. Murthy began his extensive career with Andhra Prabha of The Indian Express group in Bengaluru. He was editor of Udayam, Vaartha and Andhra Jyothy. Dr. Murthy founded and edited HMTV news channel and The Hans India, an English newspaper. He was also editorial director of the Telugu newspaper, Saakshi. He was awarded Ph. D for his research work in rural reporting. Dr. Murthy’s five decades in journalism showcases his influential roles across both print and electronic media. He wrote the political biography of NTR published by Harper Collins.
As said it’s a slap to President Trump that Mr. Zohran Mamdani has been elected as the Mayer of New York. I am glad about the change taken place.