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'A moment comes...': Zohran Mamdani quotes Nehru in NYC mayor poll victory speech

Speaking to his supporters after his victory, Mamdani quoted Nehru's speech from 1947 when India marked its independence from over 200 years of British rule.

Updated on: Nov 5, 2025, 13:21:03 IST
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Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday celebrated his win in the New York City elections by borrowing a quote from Jawaharlal Nehru's iconic Tryst with Destiny speech.

New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani celebrates as he takes the stage at his election night watch party at the Brooklyn Paramount (Getty Images via AFP)
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani celebrates as he takes the stage at his election night watch party at the Brooklyn Paramount (Getty Images via AFP)

Speaking to his supporters after his victory, Mamdani quoted Nehru's speech from 1947 when India marked its independence from over 200 years of British rule. Follow LIVE updates on NYC Mayor polls here

"A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance," quoted Mamdani, adding that tonight New York has stepped from the old into the new.

WATCH | Mamdani pays ode to Indian roots with Nehru mention

“This will be an age where New Yorkers expect from their leaders a bold vision of what we will achieve, rather than a list of excuses for what we are too timid to attempt. Central to that vision will be the most ambitious agenda to tackle the cost-of-living crisis that this city has seen since the days of Fiorello La Guardia: an agenda that will freeze the rents for more than two million rent-stabilized tenants, make buses fast and free, and deliver universal child care across our city,” Mamdani added.

Nehru's speech was made at midnight on August 14, 1947, as India prepared to become an independent nation. His speech marked the transition of India from a British colony to a free, independent country.

Also Read | ‘Mayor Mamdani’: New Yorkers celebrate Zohran Mamdani’s stunning ascent to NYC mayor

"Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny. Now the time has come when we shall redeem our pledge - not wholly or in full measure - but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance," said Nehru in his 1947 speech.

Zohran Mamdani scripts history in NYC

Indian-origin Zohran Mamdani scripted history on Tuesday night by becoming the youngest mayor of the New York City. Along with this, Mamdani is also the first Muslim, South-Asian immigrant to hold the top post.

As per the latest count from AP, Mamdani secured 50.4 per cent of the vote, defeating his Democratic opponent Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

As per the latest toll from AP, 91% of votes have been counted. Mamdani has secured 1,036,051 votes. Mamdani is closely followed by Andrew Cuomo with 854,995 and 41.6 percent of the share. Republican Curtis Sliwa trails with 146,137 votes, holding 7.1 percent of the vote.

  • Danita Yadav
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    Danita Yadav

    Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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