New York City Mayor-elect Mamdani quotes Nehru in victory speech

Quoting Jawaharlal Nehru’s immortal “Tryst with Destiny” speech, newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani evoked India’s freedom moment as he addressed cheering 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, New York has done just that,” Mamdani said, pledging bold leadership to tackle the city’s cost-of-living crisis.

'Stepping out from old to new...'

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, New York has done just that. -- Zohran Mamdani, NY City Mayor-elect

His words drew attention in India, with Congress leader Jairam Ramesh noting that the same lines had once inspired Scotland’s 2013 independence campaign. “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-elect, defeating 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 finished second with just over 40 per cent and Sliwa managed around 7 per cent.

His election marks a significant milestone for progressive politics in the US, with an Indian-origin socialist now at the helm of America’s largest city.