Ex-diplomats call Zohran Mamdani’s New York mayoral win a historic stand against right-wing politics and a step toward inclusive governance.
Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral election implies that he had “struck a chord” with people through the issues raised, and the win is, in a way, the city’s “answer” to right-wing movements in the US, according to two former Indian diplomats.
They said it remains to be seen how Mamdani will deliver on the ambitious promises he made during his spirited campaign.
Mamdani emerged victorious in the closely-watched mayoral election, defeating political heavyweights — former New York State governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.
Many international affairs experts, including former ambassadors of India, termed it a “historic victory”.
Veteran diplomat Venu Rajamony told PTI that Mamdani’s win is “in a way, an answer being given by New York City to the right-wing movements which have grown in the US, and also to the kind of policies President Donald Trump has been adopting”.
Trump openly supported Cuomo, but people still voted for Mamdani, he said.
“Equally important is the socialist agenda which he (Mamdani) has put forward, including free transport, and housing for the poor,” the former envoy said.
Rajamony served as India’s ambassador to the Netherlands from 2017 to 2020.
Mamdani pipped Cuomo, who fought as an independent after losing in the primaries to him, suggesting a sense of polarisation among a section of the Democratic Party.
