Gopal Misra
The electoral victory of Zoharan Mamdani as the mayor of New York in a keenly contested election November four this year has not only given a setback to the pretentious American politics, but it has also given a setback to the current political calculations of the White House.
The electoral victory of Zoharan Mamdani, who is the son of the famous Indian film maker, Mira Nayar, and
Mahamood Mamdani, a Muslim from Uganda and scholar, has given a new voice to the immigrants from Asia and Africa settled in the metropolis. There are apprehensions that the US President Donald Trump might stop federal funds to the city identified as the world capital for housing UN headquarters.
In New Delhi, the scholars of foreign affairs are not only excited by the success of Mamdani, they also foresee paradigm changes in the American approach towards the countries of Asia and Africa. He not only represents the close interfaith matrimonial alliance, but also closer ties between India and Africa.
Political Spin-off
The victory of Mamdani in the election of the mayor may also impact the ongoing communal polarization of the people in the Indian subcontinent. Apart from being a symbol of growing ties between India and countries of Africa, his success might rescript closer Hindu-Muslim ties this time in the faraway city of New York. It, however, finally sheds off the secular pretenses of the American establishment. Interestingly, the American deep state i e. the CIA didn’t hesitate to promote al-Qaeda in West Asia and South Asia. In fact, Trump is following the policy of his predecessor, Joe Biden, which was being jointly evolved by the CIA, a section of the media and academia in the US.
In New Delhi, the political expectations from Mamdani may appear a little demanding, but people here recall that his mother, Mira Nair, an Indian beauty of Punjabi origin,had stormed the show -business in America, and now he would be directing American politics. Mira is known for directing independent dramas through her production company Mirabai Films and despite stiff competitions, she has received two prizes from the Cannes Film Festival and four prizes from the Venice Film Festival as well as nominations for two BAFTA Awards and two CĂ©sar Awards. Her films have also received two Academy Award nominations.
The electoral victory of Mamdani for the coveted position of Mayor of New York has also amused the
mandarins in the South Block, where the ministries of foreign affairs, defence and the office of the prime minister are located. It is natural for them to feel relieved from the continuous assault on India’s plural polity. Trump has to find a radical Muslim priest in New York, if necessary from Pakistan, to counter the political implications of the electoral victory of a South Asian Muslim born from an Indian mother having broader views on Islam, a possibility of him becoming a secular progressive face of American politics.
Trump’s Agenda Compromised
It cannot be denied that with the victory of Mamdani, the recent American stress of keeping radical Muslims on a pedestal in West Asia and the Indian subcontinent has suffered a setback, if not has finally boomeranged the sectarian approach of the American establishment.
It may be interesting to note that the parents of the new mayor have better academic credentials than the buffoons of the White House managing world affairs. Mira Nair, born in Rourkela, Odisha in India, who later studied in Delhi and Harvard Universities, has better academic credentials than most of the politicians in the US.
The family of Mamdani had immigrated to South Africa from Kampala, when he was five years old. Two years later, they moved to the U.S. settling in New York City. Further, he graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and received a bachelor’s degree with a major in Africana studies from Bowdoin College in Maine in 2014.
Political Intentions
After working as a housing counselor and hip-hop musician, Mamdani entered local New York City politics as a campaign manager for Khader El-Yateem, a Palestinian-American politician and Ross Barkan,a journalist and politician in New York.
Zoharan Mamdani was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, defeating five-term incumbent Aravella Simotas in the Democratic primary. He was reelected without opposition in 2022 and 2024. In October 2024, Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City in the 2025 election.
Trump is Upset
Interestingly, it may be noted that during the initial months of his second inning in the White House, lTrump was seen shaking hands with Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as al-Julani) , who has been installed by the US proxies despite having an al-Qaeda background.
Another action of Trump has been to invite the chief of the Pakistani army, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for a luncheon meeting. During this much-trumpeted interaction at the White House, Munir was served with â halal beefâ and this information was shared with the media extensively. It cannot be denied that it had impacted favourable responses in Pakistan.
However, the victory of Zohran Mamdani, who has successfully trounced his rival in this closely-watched mayoral election in New York City. He has not only defeated his rival, Andrew Cuomo, but also triggered an ideological war. His victory is being described as the success of a Muslim, who would be controlling the world capital. The local media is down playing the socialist ideology of Mamdani, but harping upon that the pre-dominant Christian city, New York would be celebrating Christmas under a Muslim mayor.
It is being asked whether
Trump legally can stop federal funding to New York city. His victory has reasserted the political strength of the Democrats, and it may also reveal the undercurrent of the traditional conflict between Cross and Crescent. It may flare up if the Christian zealots could not be restrained.