“Tomar mayor, amar mayor (Your mayor, my mayor),” shouted a man from the podium. “Mamdani! Mamdani!” responded the crowd cheerfully.
Moments later, Zohran Mamdani — the Democratic Party’s nominee for New York mayor — got on stage, hugged the Bangladeshi immigrant announcer, and shouted back in Bangla, “Tomar mayor, amar mayor!” The crowd roared again, “Mamdani! Mamdani!”
It was a scene straight out of a Bangladeshi election rally — recreated thousands of miles away, in the heart of New York City.
TIMES of Bangladesh spoke to Bangladeshi-origin people from different walks of life in New York — the most populous US city and global financial hub — to gauge their sentiment about the much-debated mayoral election.
In their passionate drive to elect Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old Socialist Democrat leading in nearly every opinion poll, Bangladeshi immigrants have brought a vivid slice of home to the world’s most cosmopolitan city.
From Bangla slogans echoing through Queens to vibrant street rallies, Bangladeshi-origin US citizens — known as Bangladeshi Americans — are pouring extraordinary energy into Mamdani’s campaign, seeing him as a voice for immigrants, Muslims, and working-class New Yorkers.
According to many observers, the community has never been this politically active in a New York mayoral election.
A Bangladeshi-style campaign
As New Yorkers head to the polls, one campaign stands out for its colour, energy, and unmistakably South Asian flair.
Across the boroughs — particularly in Queens — Bangladeshi Americans have transformed the election atmosphere into something that feels closer to Bangladesh than to New York City.
Armed with megaphones, banners, and rhythmic Bangla chants, they campaign with the same fervour seen during elections in Bangladesh. Small processions wind through immigrant-heavy neighbourhoods like Jackson Heights and Astoria, where “Vote for Mamdani” merges seamlessly with Bangla songs and street-corner speeches.
“We are campaigning in the Bangladeshi way — rallies, street meetings, slogans in Bangla,” said one organiser proudly. “It feels like an election back home.”
A community all in
The scale of effort is staggering. Bangladeshi volunteers — taxi drivers, small business owners, students, and retirees — are working around the clock: distributing leaflets, knocking on doors, and spreading the message through social media.
“Except for a few exceptions, almost every Bangladeshi American is with Mamdani,” said a veteran journalist, Manzur Ahmed, who moved to New York decades ago. “We believe his victory will be ours too.”
Mamdani himself has publicly recognised this overwhelming support. In several speeches, he has praised Bangladeshi Americans for “bringing the heart and soul of Queens” into his campaign.
“This is not my victory. This is ours — the victory of the Bangladeshi aunty who knocked on door after door until her feet throbbed and her knuckles ached,” Mamdani said after his June 24 Democratic primary victory against former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Why Mamdani matters
Journalist Ahasan Jewel believes the community’s enthusiasm stems from more than identity politics.
“First, he’s an immigrant like us — that makes him relatable,” Jewel explained. “Second, he’s Muslim. New York has had 110 mayors, but never a Muslim one. And third, he’s one of the few mainstream politicians who dared to criticise Israel’s war in Gaza and call for a ceasefire.”
For many Bangladeshi Americans, Mamdani’s stance on Palestine has been a decisive factor.
“We see him as someone who stands for justice,” said Dider Mondol, a long-time resident of New York. “He represents ordinary people and can bridge the gap with the elites — something vital for real progress.”
Others point to his local roots. Mamdani grew up in Queens, the heart of Bangladeshi immigrant life in New York. Several influential Bangladeshi figures helped introduce him to voters and build his base early on.
“He’s one of us,” said AKM Farid Ahmed. “His promises about rent control, free public transport, and affordable housing — these are issues that matter deeply to working families like ours.”
A political wave beyond Mamdani
Veteran journalist Manzur Ahmed sees Mamdani’s rise as part of a wider shift in American politics.
“If Mamdani wins, it won’t just be a victory for Bangladeshis or Muslims,” he said. “It will signal the strengthening of a socialist undercurrent in US politics — one that began with Bernie Sanders and was energised by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Mamdani is now carrying that torch.”
Indeed, Mamdani is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, a progressive faction within the Democratic Party that champions affordable housing, universal transit access, and curbing corporate influence.
His platform — freezing rent hikes, making city transit free, and regulating grocery prices — has energised younger voters across ethnic lines.
But his path has not been without obstacles. Former President Donald Trump, breaking with his own party, endorsed Andrew Cuomo — a move widely seen as an attempt to block Mamdani’s rise.
Corporate lobbies and right-wing media have also targeted him, questioning his faith and spreading confusion about whether he is “really” Muslim or Hindu.
A taste of home in the world’s capital
At dusk, as campaigners march past sari shops and halal groceries, the air fills with Bangla chants urging people to vote for Mamdani.
It’s an unmistakable slice of Bangladesh — transplanted to the world’s capital.
“Back home, we used to say elections are festivals,” said one volunteer. “This time, we’ve brought that festival to New York.”
Whether or not Zohran Mamdani wins, one thing is certain: Bangladeshi Americans have already made this election unforgettable — transforming a local political contest into a celebration of immigrant identity, diversity, and hope.
