New Delhi, July 08 (V7N) — Indian-origin politician Zohrab Mamdani has become a rising political force in the United States after winning the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, positioning himself as a bold new voice of the American left. At just 33 years old, Mamdani’s victory is being hailed by progressives — and criticized by conservatives — both in the U.S. and India.

According to Gulf News, Mamdani, a Muslim and outspoken critic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel’s military operations in Gaza, has drawn harsh criticism from India’s right-wing political factions. His progressive platform — advocating for higher taxes on the wealthy, free bus fare, and government-funded childcare — has also won admiration from left-leaning circles in India, particularly among academics and activists.

Many are comparing Mamdani’s rise to the emergence of Arvind Kejriwal and India’s Aam Aadmi Party, calling him a political "disruptor" challenging traditional power structures — much like Kejriwal did in Delhi.

Mamdani's growing popularity in India is part of a broader trend of Indian-origin leaders rising to prominence in the West. While the Indian right celebrated Rishi Sunak’s ascent to the UK prime ministership, largely due to his overt expression of Hindu identity, Mamdani has emerged as a contrasting figure — sparking controversy due to his Muslim identity and his anti-establishment political stance.

Even Indian political figures have weighed in on his victory. Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi reportedly made comments about Mamdani that drew widespread backlash for being inappropriate, while Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora wrote in a post:
“Many Mumbaikars know that Mamdani is going to be the mayor of New York, but do not know the names of the last three mayors of Mumbai.”

Analysts suggest that Mamdani’s primary win sends an important message to Indian politics: city-level leadership matters, and active citizen engagement in municipal governance is critical.

Within U.S. politics, Mamdani’s emergence could reshape the future direction of the Democratic Party. While some critics warn that his socialist stance could alienate moderate voters, others argue that his bold vision may be the progressive counterweight to the Republican Party’s "Make America Great Again" agenda.

As Mamdani prepares for the general mayoral election, global eyes — especially in India — are closely watching what his next steps will mean for the future of urban politics and progressive leadership.

END/RH/AJ