Less than a few hours before the November 4, 2025, mayoral election, Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old Democratic nominee, stands on the brink of a historic victory that is resonating globally. Polling places the progressive candidate as the clear frontrunner in the three-way race, with an Emerson College poll showing Mamdani leading with 50% of likely voters, maintaining a commanding margin that averages around 15 points over his nearest rivals, Independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. If elected, he will become New York City’s first South Asian and Shia-Muslim mayor.
Mamdani’s background is as unique as his politics. Born in Kampala, Uganda, to the internationally acclaimed academic Mahmood Mamdani and celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair, his life has bridged continents and ideologies. This intersectional identity, forged by his Indian heritage, African roots, and experience representing working-class Queens, underpins a political movement that has galvanized new voters.
A Bold Progressive Platform for the City
Mamdani’s agenda is an unapologetic blueprint for social democracy, rooted in a rejection of fiscal inequality. He is backed by a robust coalition, including 69% of voters under 50, and a surging base of immigrant communities; Muslim and South Asian voter turnout reportedly saw a 60% increase in the primary compared to 2021. The city’s Muslim population, estimated at roughly 1 million (comparable to the Jewish population), has become a potent political force.
His platform is transformative and built on his lived experience as a former housing counsellor, witnessing the despair of New Yorkers battling debt and eviction:
* A $30 minimum wage by 2030.
* Sweeping rent freezes and social housing initiatives.
* Universal childcare for children aged six weeks to five years.
* Fare-free public buses and tuition-free CUNY and SUNY schools.
Mamdani does not mince words on wealth disparity, having declared, “I don’t think we should have billionaires.” He backs these proposals with detailed revenue plans to tax the wealthy and corporations at rates comparable to Western Europe. He reframes public safety to prioritize housing and mental health lifelines over traditional policing, challenging the establishment’s long-held views.
Unwavering Moral Stance and Global Impact
Mamdani’s campaign has garnered international attention for its unflinching moral clarity on foreign policy, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He has consistently broken with political norms, championing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, supporting legislation to block New York charities from funding illegal Israeli settlements, and being arrested at a ceasefire protest in 2023. His uncompromising stance, which drew accusations of radicalism and antisemitism, is met with intellectual consistency: “Criticism of Israel is not antisemitism—it’s a moral imperative.”
This courage extends to his critique of ethno-nationalism abroad. He has publicly branded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “war criminal,” drawing direct parallels between the 2002 Gujarat pogroms and the operations in Gaza. His refusal to attend hypothetical Modi events in New York was a moment of rare political courage, speaking to a movement that chooses principle over political convenience.
Supported by progressive icons like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, Mamdani’s strong polling position suggests his chances of making history are high. His potential victory would solidify his role as the vanguard of an intersectional, justice-focused political movement poised to redefine urban governance worldwide.
Hasnain Naqvi is a former member of the history faculty at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
