Our Bureau
New York, NY
Zohran Mamdani, 34, made history by winning the election on Tuesday (November 4) to become the first-ever Indian-American mayor of New York City and the youngest person to win the mayoral election in a century.
The Democratic socialist defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa on the strength of his progressive agenda, signaling both a generational and symbolic shift in New York politics.
Addressing supporters at his victory party, Mamdani said, “My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty. I wish Andrew Cuomo only the best in private life, but let tonight be the final time I utter his name as we turn the page on a politics that abandoned the many and answers only to the few.”
“New York, tonight you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city we can afford and a mandate for a government that delivers exactly that,” Mamdani told supporters at an election-night event celebrating his victory, CNN reported.
The Democratic nominee described the victory as “against all odds,” saying to a cheering crowd, “The future is in our hands.” Supporters welcomed him with chants of “Zohran,” reflecting widespread enthusiasm for his campaign.
The celebratory moment was amplified as the song ‘Dhoom Machale’ from the Bollywood film ‘Dhoom’ played in the background, while Mamdani appeared on stage with his wife, Rama Duwaji, and mother, Mira Nair, sending Bollywood fans into a frenzy.
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani celebrated his victory in the New York City mayoral elections on Wednesday by invoking Jawaharlal Nehru’s iconic 1947 speech, ‘Tryst with Destiny’.
Speaking to his supporters after being projected as the winner, Mamdani cited Nehru’s words from the speech made on India’s independence, “I’m reminded of Jawahar Lal Nehru’s words. A moment comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance. Tonight, New York has done just that. This new era demands clarity, courage, and vision, not excuses,” he said.
Mamdani ran on a platform aimed at confronting economic inequality and rising living costs. His promises included rent freezes for residents of rent-stabilized units, construction of affordable housing, faster and free bus services, free childcare, city-owned grocery stores to address high food prices, and tax hikes on the wealthy, according to CBS News.
Crowds at Mamdani’s campaign headquarters in Brooklyn cheered as results came in, celebrating the historic outcome.
According to the latest count, Mamdani secured 50.4 per cent of the vote, defeating Democratic opponent Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Silwa.
The Senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, hailed the results as a broader repudiation of the Trump agenda. He said, “Tonight’s results are a repudiation of the Trump agenda. The cruelty, chaos and greed that define MAGA radicalism and are skyrocketing costs were firmly rejected by the American people. If Republicans want to keep blindly following Donald Trump into the abyss of chaos, let them. The rest of America is moving forward.”
While attention remained on New York, election results continued to come in across the US. In Florida, Miami’s mayoral race headed for a run-off after no candidate secured over 50 percent of the vote.
Meanwhile, Democrat Mikie Sherrill thanked voters after winning the governorship of New Jersey, posting on X, “New Jersey, it is the honor of my life to earn your trust to become this great state’s 57th Governor. I promise to listen, lead with courage, and never forget who I serve.”
Former US President Barack Obama congratulated Democratic candidates for their victories in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York, noting the work that still lies ahead. “Congratulations to all the Democratic candidates who won tonight. It’s a reminder that when we come together around strong, forward-looking leaders who care about the issues that matter, we can win. We’ve still got plenty of work to do, but the future looks a little bit brighter,” he said.
US President Donald Trump, in contrast, reacted to the results on Truth Social, attributing Republican losses to his absence from the ballot and ongoing shutdown issues. “TRUMP WASN’T ON THE BALLOT, AND SHUTDOWN, WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT,” he posted.
Mamdani’s historic victory, combining his policy-driven progressive agenda with symbolic milestones as the youngest, first Muslim, and South-Asian immigrant mayor, is being celebrated as a defining moment for the city’s future.
