Indian-American New York City Council Member Zohran Mamdani is causing a stir with a new campaign video presented in its entirety in Hindi, targeting South Asian voters in preparation for the city’s mayoral election.
In the X video, Mamdani vows major reforms such as rent reduction, free public transport, universal childcare, and cheap groceries. Employing a popular Bollywood theme to add muscle to his pitch, he states, “There are only 20 days to this election, and the decision is me or Andrew Cuomo,” before invoking the memorable line from Deewar, “Today he has buildings, property, bank balance, bungalow, car. What do you have? You.”
Framing the Campaign as People-Powered
Mamdani frames his campaign as a people’s movement, one powered by regular New Yorkers. “Because of you, we’ve raised $8 million and knocked on over 600,000 doors. We are this close to making this city’s first South Asian mayor,” he says. “But it’s not about what I will become it’s about what I will do.”
He also highlights the city’s affordability crisis, stating, “New Yorkers are fighting to pay for food, clothing, and shelter. I am fighting to change that.”
Clarifying the Voting Process and Focusing on Cuomo
Informing viewers about New York City’s ranked-choice voting system, Mamdani elucidates, “The more you rank, the stronger your ballot and voice.” He encourages voters to make him their first choice.
Mamdani does not hold back from attacking political behemoth and erstwhile Governor Andrew Cuomo for ties to controversial donors. “His campaign is being run with Trump’s donors’ money,” Mamdani alleges. “If Cuomo gets elected, NYC will also be theirs just like D.C.”
The video ends with a concise populist message. “Billionaires already have everything. Now, it’s your turn,” Mamdani states, highlighting his platform’s emphasis on ordinary people.
Watch Here:
Billionaires ke paas already sab kuchh hai. Ab, aapka time aageya.
Billionaires already have everything. Now, your time has come. pic.twitter.com/bJcgxzt37S
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) June 4, 2025
Zohran Mamdani, son of celebrated director Mira Nair and scholar Mahmood Mamdani, gained U.S. citizenship post-2016. A proponent of left-leaning politics, he was also active in Bernie Sanders’ 2020 campaign and is now placing himself as a serious grass roots candidate in a mayoral election still dominated by influential establishmentarians.
The election takes place later this month.
