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NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
What Makes Zohran Mamdani, New York Mayor Candidate So Appealing To Voters
Zohran Mamdani has shaken up New York politics by winning the Democratic nomination for mayor. The 33-year-old Indian-origin assemblyman defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday. "Tonight, we made history," he told supporters after his win. "I will be your Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York City." Powered by a bold, left-wing agenda and grassroots energy, here are five key pillars of his platform that have fuelled his rise: Housing And Rent Reform Housing is Zohran Mamdani's priority. He promises an immediate freeze on rent-stabilised units and stricter enforcement against negligent landlords. His boldest proposal is the creation of a Social Housing Development Agency to build 2 lakh publicly owned affordable homes over the next decade, funded by higher taxes on millionaires and large corporations. "It's a city that is in danger of losing that which makes it so special," Mr Mamdani said at a BBC event. For Working-Class New Yorkers Zohran Mamdani has promised to make New York more affordable by taxing the rich. His fiscal plan includes a 2 per cent income tax on individuals earning over $1 million and increased corporate taxes, measures he says will raise $20 billion. These funds would be funnelled into universal childcare (starting from six weeks of age), free public college, fare-free public transit, and subsidised grocery stores in low-income areas. He has also called for a $30 minimum wage by 2030. Free Public Transit And Climate Action Mr Mamdani's transit plan is one of the most ambitious in recent history. He advocates making all Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) buses permanently free and freezing subway fares. He pairs this with a pro-climate transportation vision, i.e, congestion pricing, expanded bike lanes, and better cross-borough transit access to fight car dependency and reduce emissions. Community-Centered Public Safety Rejecting the traditional police-heavy approach to public safety, Mamdani proposes creating a new Department of Community Safety. This agency would focus on housing, mental health, and outreach rather than arrests and enforcement. He also calls for an 800 per cent increase in funding for anti-hate programs, specifically targeting Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Asian hate crimes. Rights For Immigrants And LGBTQ+ Communities As the son of Ugandan-Indian immigrants, Zohran Mamdani's platform puts immigrant and marginalised communities front and centre. He has pledged full sanctuary protections for undocumented New Yorkers, expanded legal aid and improved language access, particularly for Muslim and South Asian populations. He also champions expanded gender-affirming care, the creation of an LGBTQIA+ Affairs Office, and protections against discrimination.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Zohran Mamdani's 5 major campaign promises
Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old Democratic running for New York City Mayor is set to make history as the first Muslim nominee to accede to the position. A far cry from former Mayor Eric Adams, Mamdani is projected to be the upcoming voice of the immigrant, working-class population in the city. As of Wednesday (June 25) morning, Mamdani held a substantial lead over opponent Andrew Cuomo out of the 95% ballots counted at that time. New York City mayoral candidate and Democratic State Representative Zohran Mamdani campaigns in New York City on April 16, 2025. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)(AFP) ALSO READ| Who are Zohran Mamdani's parents? All about father Mahmood Mamdani and mother Mira Nair Mamdani has repeatedly emphasized the need to bring down the racked-up affordability crisis in the city, a strong indicator of his commitment to grassroots-level politics. "This is a city where one in four of its people are living in poverty, a city where 500,000 kids go to sleep hungry every night," he told the BBC at a recent event. "And ultimately, it's a city that is in danger of losing that which makes it so special." He has proposed to introduce a chain of city-owned grocery stores, a rent freeze on all rent-stabilized units, stricter accountability for landlords, and the creation of a Social Housing Development Agency to oversee the construction of 200,000 subsidized housing units over a three-year period. Community benefits In addition, Mamdani has also promised universal childcare for kids aged six weeks to five years. Higher education will be made more affordable by eliminating tuition fees at public colleges and removing property tax exemptions extended to private universities. He also plans to set up a Department of Community Safety meant to enhance public safety measures such as housing assistance, community outreach, and mental health service providers. Increase taxation In order to implement the proposed measures, Mamdani is willing to introduce a 2% city income tax on citizens earning more than $1 million along with an increase in corporate taxes. This additional income is meant to support universal childcare, tuition-free public college (CUNY/ SUNY), expansion of tenant legal support, free public transport, and subsidized grocery stores. Infrastructure and amenities In addition to the subsidized housing facilities, Mamdani has also proposed a plan to make all MTA buses fare-free and freeze subway fares. These measures are meant to increase ridership on these modes of transport, introduce climate protection, cut back on congestion pricing, and provide better infrastructure for those using pedestrian or cycling lanes. Immigration, LGBTQ+ rights and hate crimes Mamdani's views on Israel and Palestine have been a source of contention but also unprecedented due to their open declaration. As a vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, he has repeatedly called Israel's actions a 'genocide' and believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be imprisoned. While he recognizes the country's legitimacy to exist, he also emphasizes their need to uphold international law and condones all such violence. Previously, he introduced a bill to remove the tax-exempt status granted to certain New York-based charities with ties to Israeli settlements. ALSO READ| Statue of Liberty wears a burqa in MAGA pics after Zohran Mamdani win He is an active supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and plans to set up a special Affairs Office, extend access to gender-affirming healthcare, and grant sanctuary protection to undocumented workers. Granting legal aid and language access to immigrants is another cornerstone of his policy. He has also been quite vocal about emphasizing his Muslim identity throughout the campaign, even recording an entire campaign video in Urdu. The election took place on Tuesday (June 24) and if elected, Mamdani will come to office in November of this year. By Stuti Gupta
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
From rent freeze to Israel: What are Zohran Mamdani's views on major issues? Find out more about NYC's Democratic Mayoral nominee
Zohran Mamdani With his recent victory in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani has gone from political curiosity to citywide contender. At 33, the Astoria-based assemblyman has successfully positioned himself as the voice of New York's progressive, multi-ethnic, and working-class future. But what exactly does Mamdani stand for? From rent controls and universal childcare to his controversial views on Israel–Palestine, Mamdani's platform represents a radical departure from City Hall's traditional centrism. Here's a breakdown of his core beliefs and proposals. 1. Housing and Rent Freeze Housing is at the heart of Mamdani's campaign. He has called for an immediate rent freeze on all rent-stabilised units and proposes the creation of a Social Housing Development Agency to oversee the construction of 200,000 units of publicly owned, affordable housing over the next decade. To fund these programmes, he plans to increase taxes on the city's wealthiest individuals and biggest corporations. He has also advocated for stronger tenant protections, including an end to no-fault evictions. 2. Taxation and Economic Justice Mamdani wants to introduce a 2% city income tax on those earning over $1 million, alongside increased corporate taxes. These measures, he claims, would generate an estimated $20 billion in revenue. The funds would support a host of social welfare initiatives, including universal childcare, tuition-free public college (CUNY/SUNY), subsidised grocery stores in food deserts, expanded tenant legal support, and fare-free public transit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo He also supports increasing the minimum wage to $30/hour by the year 2030. 3. Public Transit and Infrastructure Mamdani has pledged to make all MTA buses permanently fare-free, citing successful pilot programmes that increased ridership. He also supports freezing subway fares and expanding the frequency of both buses and trains. To reduce car dependency and fight climate change, he backs congestion pricing, more protected bike lanes, and stronger infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. 4. Childcare and Education His plan includes city-funded universal childcare and pre-kindergarten programmes. He also wants to make higher education truly accessible by eliminating tuition at public colleges and taxing private universities that currently benefit from major property tax exemptions. 5. Public Safety and Community Well-being Mamdani proposes the establishment of a Department of Community Safety that would prioritise non-policing strategies for public safety—such as housing assistance, mental health services, and community outreach programmes. He also plans to increase funding for anti-hate crime initiatives by 800%, with particular attention to combating antisemitism and Islamophobia. 6. Israel–Palestine and Foreign Policy Views Mamdani's positions on Israel–Palestine have drawn both national attention and significant controversy. A vocal supporter of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, he has described Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide' and introduced resolutions seeking to sever city ties with firms operating in West Bank settlements. He initially declined to sign statements affirming Israel's identity as a Jewish state, though later clarified that he recognises Israel's right to exist and opposes violence against civilians on all sides. While slogans like 'Globalise the Intifada' have led to accusations of extremism, Mamdani has repeatedly stated that he does not condone violence and supports peaceful resistance rooted in human rights. In recent interviews, he has explicitly condemned antisemitism and affirmed the fear many Jewish New Yorkers feel in today's climate. 7. LGBTQ+ Rights and Immigrant Advocacy Mamdani supports expanding access to gender-affirming healthcare, establishing an LGBTQIA+ Affairs Office, and ensuring sanctuary protections for all undocumented New Yorkers. His broader immigration stance includes legal aid, language access, and defending the rights of Muslim and South Asian communities. A Campaign of Contrast Mamdani's insurgent campaign marks a break not just with the Cuomo-era establishment but also with the centrist, managerial politics of Mayor Eric Adams. His platform doesn't promise moderation—it demands transformation. Yet it's a high-wire act. While Mamdani has captured the imagination of progressive youth, he now faces a general electorate that includes moderate Democrats, independents, and conservatives wary of his sharp ideological turns—especially on issues like Israel. Whether his vision finds citywide resonance in November remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Zohran Mamdani is no longer just a state assemblyman from Queens. He is the face of a new political vanguard reshaping New York, block by block.
