Zohran Kwame Mamdani: The Marxist Democrat Shaking Up NYC Politics

Zohran Kwame Mamdani has never shied away from speaking up for the underdogs. Unafraid to raise his voice or share bold opinions, he now finds himself at the center of national attention. In a stunning political upset, New York has overwhelmingly chosen Mamdani as the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City.

With 95 percent of ballots counted, Mamdani leads former governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned in 2021 following multiple sexual harassment allegations, by a margin of 43 percent to 36 percent. His campaign, powered by grassroots support and a proudly left-wing platform, has reshaped the political landscape.

“Tonight, we made history,” Mamdani told an elated crowd of supporters. “I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City.”

Known for advocating higher taxes on the wealthy to fund public services, Mamdani has built a reputation as a tireless champion for working class New Yorkers. His message, clear and uncompromising, has now broken through the noise.

Not everyone is pleased. Former President Donald Trump issued a typically incendiary response:

“It’s finally happened. The Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100 percent Communist lunatic, just won the Dem Primary. We’ve had radical lefties before, but this is getting ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, even Cryin’ Chuck Schumer is groveling over him.”

What unnerves Trump and many conservatives is Mamdani’s unapologetically leftist identity. He identifies not merely as a progressive or socialist, but as a Marxist Democrat. If elected, he would become New York City's first Muslim mayor of Indian origin.

Born in Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York at age seven and became a US citizen in 2018. He is the son of acclaimed Indian American filmmaker Mira Nair and Harvard professor Mahmood Mamdani. Currently representing New York’s 36th Assembly District, he is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, DSA.

Mamdani's campaign has focused on housing justice, affordable transit, and international human rights. But it’s his outspoken stance on India, particularly his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hindu nationalism, that has drawn sharp attention.

A resurfaced video shows Mamdani labeling both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Modi as “war criminals.” Asked whether he would ever share a stage with Modi, he responded,

“No. He was accused in the Gujarat riots, a calculated attempt to erase the Muslim community there.”

That comment triggered backlash from right wing groups and segments of the Indian diaspora, but also rallied support among younger South Asians and Muslim communities. His fluency in Hindi and deep ties with immigrant families have bolstered his growing grassroots coalition. Following his primary win, he singled out a Bangladeshi mother who canvassed door to door on his behalf, calling her the heart of his campaign.

Mamdani’s message is clear, food, shelter, and dignity for all New Yorkers. His platform promises to confront the city’s housing crisis by taking on luxury developers and fighting what he calls “unjust rent hikes that only serve billionaires.”

Through savvy social media use and relentless community organising, Mamdani has cultivated a strong base among South Asians and other marginalised groups across New York. He calls himself “Trump’s worst nightmare,” not because of his rhetoric, but because of his unwavering convictions.

The general election for New York City mayor will be held on November 4. Mamdani will face Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, who previously lost the 2021 mayoral race in a landslide.

Heading into the fall, Mamdani will also contend with fierce opposition from the city’s real estate and business elites, many of whom backed Cuomo and are expected to ramp up spending to stop him.

Republicans, sensing a potential upset if conservative voter turnout spikes, have already begun sharpening their attacks.

Whether Mamdani can transform this primary triumph into a historic mayoral victory remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, he is no longer a fringe voice. Zohran Mamdani is now a central figure in the fight for New York City's future.