How Nehru Inspired Him And What He Said About Trump

New Delhi: Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral race in New York City. At 34, he will be the youngest mayor in more than a century and the first Muslim and South Asian to hold the post.

With their victory confirmed, the fans started celebrating by shouting Zohran’s name over and over again, embracing and congratulating each other with joy.

The main competition for mayor was between Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo, who was running as an independent candidate after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. Republican Curtis Sliwa also entered the race.

Sliwa admitted defeat and congratulated Mamdani, saying, “We have an elected mayor now. I wish him success. If he is successful, we will all be fine.”

Mamdani’s Victory Speech

Mamdani celebrated with her campaign team and thanked her family and husband from the stage. He started his victory speech by reminding former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It was inspired by the historic “Trying with Destiny” speech made by the first Indian prime minister on the eve of India’s independence in 1947.

Echoing Nehru’s words, Mamdani said, “As I stand before you, the words of Jawaharlal Nehru come to mind. Rarely in history does a moment come when we step into the new, when an era ends and the spirit of a long suppressed nation finds expression. Tonight, we have stepped from the old into the new.”

“Friends, we have uprooted a political dynasty,” he said. Addressing his opponent, he said, “I wish Andrew Cuomo only personal well-being. This is the last time I speak of him tonight.”

He said voters chose change and it signals hope for better living conditions in the city. Referring to his parents, he said, “I am this person because of you. I am proud to be your son.”

He told his wife Rama Duvaji, “In this moment and every moment, I want only you by my side.”

He also criticized President Donald Trump, who urged voters not to support him in his half-hour speech. Mamdani has promised to fulfill all campaign pledges, including free bus service, universal child care and measures to control rising costs of living.

Who is Zohran Mamdani?

Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born in 1991 in Kampala, Uganda. His middle name “Kwame” honors Ghanaian revolutionary and first Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah.

He is the son of famous Indian American filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University Professor Mahmood Mamdani.

Mamdani spent her early years in Kampala before moving to South Africa at the age of five. His father taught at the University of Cape Town. Mamdani, Cape Town’s historic St. George’s Grammar School and then moved to New York City at the age of seven to study at the Bronx High School of Science.

He graduated from Bard College in 2014 with a degree in African Studies. He became a US citizen in 2018.

Mamdani’s Political Journey

Before entering politics, Mamdani worked as a social activist. He worked as a foreclosure counselor in Queens, New York, helping low-income families at risk of losing their homes.

As she witnessed the struggles of these families, she realized that not only financial problems were holding them back, but also policy issues. This inspired him to enter politics to change laws affecting ordinary people.

In 2020, he contested his first election on the Democratic Socialists of America ticket from the New York State Assembly’s 36th District in Astoria, Queens. He won and became the first South Asian and first socialist representative in the House.

She surprised many in the Democratic mayoral primary by defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was attempting a political comeback after resigning in 2021 amid sexual harassment allegations.

Mamdani said after his win: “We made history tonight. As Nelson Mandela said, ‘Everything seems impossible until it is done.’ Friends, we did it. As your Democratic candidate, I will serve as mayor of New York City.

Controversies and Criticism

Mamdani has previously criticized Israeli policies and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In May 2025, he refused to attend a hypothetical press event with Modi, citing the 2002 Gujarat riots and comparing Modi to Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war criminal”.

Although India’s Supreme Court cleared Modi of all charges by accepting a special investigation report in June 2022, his comments drew backlash from some Indo-American communities.

Mamdani also expressed support for the rights of Palestinians and called for equality, moving away from Israeli policies and condemning any system that separates citizens based on religion.

Attacks on Muslim Identity

Following his primary victory, he faced attacks on his Muslim identity. Republican Congressman Andy Ogles wrote to the Department of Justice, requesting that Mamdani’s citizenship be revoked.

He addressed these Islamophobic attacks by sharing the threats he received during his campaign. “This happens regularly, based on my name and my faith. It’s very difficult. My victory shows that being a Muslim is the same as being part of any other religion,” he told MSNBC.

Even during the holiday, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace underlined the persistent scrutiny by sharing a photo of Mamdani in traditional dress with a comment reminiscent of 9/11.

When 9/11 happened, Mamdani was nine years old and living in Manhattan at the time.