SRINAGAR: Zohran Mamdani has made history by becoming the first South Asian and Muslim to be elected Mayor of New York City, following a closely contested race that marked a new chapter in the political history of the United States’ largest city.
Mamdani, 34, who had long been seen as the frontrunner, defeated Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent with last-minute backing from former US President Donald Trump. Mamdani had earlier beaten Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June, solidifying his rise as a formidable political force.
His campaign centred on easing the cost of living for working-class New Yorkers, pledging to make housing, transport, and childcare more affordable. His message resonated strongly with younger voters and working families struggling amid soaring expenses and economic instability.
With Mamdani’s victory, New York City — often seen as the bastion of capitalism — now finds itself under the leadership of a democratic socialist, signalling what many observers call a profound ideological shift.
Of Indian descent, Mamdani is the son of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani. Born in Kampala, Uganda, he moved to New York City with his family at the age of seven and became a naturalised US citizen in 2018.
An alumnus of the Bronx High School of Science and Bowdoin College, where he earned a degree in Africana Studies, Mamdani co-founded his school’s first cricket team, which competed in the city’s inaugural inter-school cricket league.
Before entering politics, Mamdani worked as a foreclosure prevention housing counsellor in Queens, helping low-income homeowners of colour fight eviction. This experience inspired him to seek public office, leading to his election to the New York State Assembly in 2020, where he represented the 36th District, including Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway, and Astoria Heights.
“After years of watching banks prioritise profits over people, I realised that our housing crisis was not inevitable — it was a political choice,” Mamdani said in a past statement. “And choices can change.”
He was the first South Asian man, the first Ugandan, and only the third Muslim ever elected to the New York State Assembly. His tenure was marked by advocacy for marginalised communities and bold policy proposals aimed at economic equity.
As Mayor, Mamdani has vowed to tackle affordability head-on. His pledges include freezing rents for stabilised tenants, expanding affordable housing, providing free childcare for children aged six weeks to five years, and making all city buses fare-free with faster transit lanes.
He also plans to establish a network of city-owned grocery stores to combat soaring food prices and prioritise affordability over profit.
Despite facing questions over his relative inexperience in managing a city with a Rs 100 billion budget, Mamdani’s campaign highlighted his track record of activism — including leading a hunger strike alongside taxi drivers that secured Rs 450 million in debt relief, and winning over Rs 100 million in funding to improve public transport.
“The cost of living is crushing working people,” Mamdani said. “But I believe government can make life easier. We can lower rents, create world-class public transport, and make it simpler for families to thrive in New York City.”
