Congress, BJP criticize NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, call him "Pakistan's PR"

In a rare display of bipartisan consensus, both India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party have strongly criticized Zohran Mamdani, the Indian-origin Democratic candidate who recently claimed victory in New York City's mayoral primary. Mamdani's win over former state governor Andrew Cuomo has propelled him into the general election, where he will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and a Republican challenger.

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi initiated the criticism on Thursday, stating on X, “When Zohran Mamdani opens his mouth, Pakistan’s PR team takes the day off. India doesn’t need enemies with ‘allies’ like him shouting fiction from New York.” This sentiment was echoed by BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, who also attacked Mamdani, asserting that he "sounds more Pakistani than Indian." Ranaut, an actor-turned-politician, questioned his identity, despite his mother being renowned Indian filmmaker Mira Nair.

Mamdani's likely victory in the Democratic primary, though yet to be finalized under New York City's ranked-choice voting system, marks a significant political upset. The 33-year-old democratic socialist now faces the challenge of uniting a broader base and fending off critics who view his progressive platform as too far to the left for the mayoral office.