The Mamdani moment: Why New York’s new political star is sparking debates in India

Zohran Mamdani’s stunning victory in the democratic primary for New York City mayor has not just excited American politics but ignited quite a conversation in India. The charismatic Indian origin 33-year-old Mamdani seems to have divided Indian political opinion right down the middle. The fact that he is a Muslim, has been very critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has strongly opposed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s actions in Gaza, have made Mamdani a prime target of the Indian right wing’s wrath. On the other hand, his very socialist positions on taxing the rich, freezing rents, free bus rides, universal child care along with his political views have made him the darling of the Indian left liberals.

When I first saw the promises Mamdani made, it immediately reminded me of the Aam Aadmi Party which pushed a new culture of welfare schemes or freebies, whatever you want to call it, in Indian politics. The BJP has since successfully adopted the same model. Like Arvind Kejriwal, Zohran Mamdani is playing the disruptor card.