‘A moment comes…’: Zohran Mamdani quotes Jawaharlal Nehru in his New York mayor election victory speech
Mamdani quoted Jawaharlal Nehru, saying New York had “stepped out from the old into the new”
Mayor elect Zohran Mamdani waves to supporters after making his acceptance speech at an election nigh watch party on Tuesday in New York. AP/PTI Photo
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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani invoked Jawaharlal Nehru’s immortal ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech as he addressed supporters after his landmark victory.
“Standing before you, I’m reminded of Nehru’s words — a moment comes, but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new. Tonight, we have stepped out from the old into the new,” Mamdani said, pledging bold leadership to tackle the city’s cost-of-living crisis.
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His words drew attention in India, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh noting that the same lines had once inspired Scotland’s 2013 independence campaign.
Filmmaker Mira Nair's instant 3-word reaction on son Zohran Mamdani’s big win
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“Zohran Mamdani has just quoted from Nehru’s immortal speech. These very words were also used by Alex Salmond during his campaign for Scotland’s independence,” Ramesh posted on X.
The 34-year-old Democratic Socialist lawmaker of Indian-origin created history on Tuesday by becoming New York’s first Muslim mayor. He defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
A state assembly member from Queens, Mamdani secured over 50 per cent of the vote, while Cuomo finishing second with just over 40 per cent and Sliwa trailing with 7 per cent.
His election marks a significant milestone for progressive politics in the US, with an Indian-origin socialist leader now at the helm of the country’s largest city.
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