In one of the most unexpected political upsets in recent U.S. history, Democrat Zohran Mamdani has stormed to victory in the New York mayoral race, defeating establishment-backed candidates and sending shockwaves through both the Democratic and Republican camps.
Mamdani, 34, has long been known for his progressive and socialist views, often drawing controversy for his past calls to defund the NYPD and his sharp criticism of U.S. policing policies. Yet, in a stunning political turnaround, the son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair has managed to unite New York’s fragmented voter base, appealing to young voters, immigrants, and disillusioned progressives to clinch the city’s top job.
A Movement Reborn
According to Ben Rhodes, former deputy national Security adviser under Barack Obama, this election marks a moment unseen since Obama’s presidential win.
“Mamdani changed the electorate,” Rhodes said on BBC Radio 4. “He built a movement. He’s not the divisive radical his opponents claim; he’s a unifier who tapped into the city’s desire for change.”
But not everyone shares that optimism.
The Conservative Backlash
Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and a former special assistant to Donald Trump, expressed deep concern over Mamdani’s win.
“It’s a bit of a shock,” Giuliani said. “A 34-year-old self-avowed socialist will now run the financial capital of the world.”
He warned that while Mamdani may deliver on promises like affordable housing, his anti-police stance could lead to an increase in crime.
“New York voters will be watching closely and so will the rest of America,” Giuliani added.
From ‘Defund’ to ‘Reform’
Mamdani’s history with the NYPD remains one of the most controversial aspects of his political career. Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Mamdani openly supported defunding the police, calling the NYPD a “racist institution.”
However, during his recent campaign, he apologized and revised his stance, vowing not to cut police staff but to restructure public safety. His plan includes creating a Department of Community Safety that sends mental health teams instead of armed officers to handle psychiatric and non-violent situations.
This nuanced shift helped him rebuild credibility among moderate voters while retaining his progressive base.
A Message to Trump
During his victory speech, Mamdani couldn’t resist addressing the former president directly:
“Since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: turn the volume up.”
The crowd erupted as those words echoed through the venue, a symbolic declaration of confidence aimed squarely at Trump’s political machine.
Global Reactions: India Celebrates
Across the Atlantic, India’s media and public have celebrated Mamdani’s win with pride. Once introduced as “Mira Nair’s son,” Mamdani has now made his own mark with many Indian outlets describing Mira Nair as Zohran’s mother, flipping the narrative.
His speech even paid homage to Jawaharlal Nehru’s “Tryst with Destiny”, and as he walked off stage, the Bollywood hit “Dhoom Machale” played, translating to “Let’s make some noise.”
And indeed, Mamdani has made plenty of it not only in New York but across the global political landscape.
