By Pankaj Vohra

NewsGate Press Network

The convincing and grand victory of Zohran Mamdani as the New York Mayor, is an event that could impact the future of American politics.

The young immigrant of African and Asian origin, has raised expectations which have propelled him to the coveted position, and therefore his ability of meeting the multiple challenges would test his political acumen and skills.

Mamdani has achieved which no one before him from his faith had ever achieved.

In a country where the ultra-right is asserting itself following the second term of Donald Trump, a left leaning politician would find his path strewn with obstacles, even from his own Democrat support base.

Without doubt, New York is the most vibrant city in the world. In fact, it has so much energy which no other place has.

It is a city built by immigrants and as Mamdani put it in his victory speech, has an immigrant as its leader as of today.

New York City, for instance, perhaps attracts more tourists than any other place on the globe and if one is walking at the Times Square, there are so many languages one can hear as people pass by.

It is also the city where 9/11 took place and there is an inherent anti-Islamic emotion in some sections.

Therefore, for Mamdani to have obtained such a popular support, demonstrates that his appeal was not religion centric, but because he made promises which aim to ease the economic aspects as well as affordability dimensions that confront the residents.

New York and its boroughs—Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island—have a huge population with even bigger expectations and complex problems.

Mamdani’s campaign had touched a chord which contributed to his popularity. His grassroots connect and the deft political management, was proof that the young Mayor had everything worked out in his mind.

No one can dispute that he could prove to be a Mayor who would help in rejuvenating the city so far as its affordability issues are concerned.

He is also well read, educated and pragmatic and thus is someone who if he delivers, has a very bright future ahead of him.

In a country where Leftist orientation is a handicap, for him to have emerged victorious is an unprecedented achievement.

However, it is the cultural impact of his election that is going to be watched very closely, both by his admirers and critics.

His being a Muslim, is what is going to put him under the scanner of the rightists both within his own party as well amongst Republicans.

Donald Trump has made no secret of his aversion to his candidacy and is also likely to put numerous obstacles in the city, which is also his home ground, and where he has a big empire.

After London, which had elected its first Muslim Mayor many years ago, New York is all poised to witness the fallout, both positive and negative, of this election.

What makes things complicated is that London is a city which has shown more tolerance to the rising population of Muslims, largely because England is amongst countries where true democracy exists.

You can witness it at Hyde Park where on Sunday mornings, many rabid Islamists take the stage and spew venom against the government, which looks after their welfare, and has allowed them to come.

New York, despite its cosmopolitan character, is a part of America, where it has been for even Roman Catholics a difficult task of rising to the top position; only two Catholics, John Kennedy and Joe Biden have been Presidents, as most of them elected to the Oval Office have been Presbyterians.

Religion does play a role in politics and to wish it away would be a folly.

In this context, Mamdani has to ensure that those who share his faith with him, do not go overboard and by an open declaration of their beliefs, do not go on to hamper his political movement forward.

There have already been reports of how Islamist groups declared at the Times Square how their religion was superior to others.

The short point is that Mamdani has been elected not because he is a Muslim but despite that. It is his programmes and vision that have attracted residents to vote for him.

Therefore, any attempt by a section of his followers, could do incalculable harm to his plans, and shift the debate to a different angle altogether.

The Mayor-Elect has a universal appeal and acceptability as of now. His victory speech showed his political sense, and his quote from Jawaharlal Nehru’s first address as PM of an Independent India, became a talking point of Indians and the world.

Mamdani’s Muslim supporters have to realise that he is a Mayor because there is a democratic set up that exists in the United States, unlike in most places they come from.

He would never have been elected to such an important office which has caught eyeballs globally, had he been living in an Islamic dominated country.

For him, the challenge would be to keep his religious identity in the background and deliver on promises he has made.

His political longevity would depend on his performance and not on his faith. This is paramount for all those who are hailing his win as the triumph of his religion.

Mamdani has to be viewed as a political leader with great prowess to handle complicated affairs. Not as a representative of his faith which many rabid Islamists would interpret. Between us. (Pankaj Vohra is the Managing Editor, The Sunday Guardian, New Delhi)