The Democratic Party is scrambling to make sense of Zohran Mamdani's unexpected victory in the New York City mayoral primary and what it means for their own candidates across the country. Despite concerns about Mamdani's socialist platform, many Democrats are also embracing the energy and enthusiasm he brought to the race. However, some are hesitant to fully endorse him, fearing that his proposals could be easily attacked by Republicans. President Trump has already labeled Mamdani a "communist lunatic," setting the tone for how Republicans may attempt to use his win as a political weapon.
On June 25th, 2025, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Emergency by marking it as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day). This date is significant as it marks the day when Indian democracy was suspended and the Constitution was disregarded. As part of the commemoration, a book titled 'The Emergency Diaries' was released, chronicling a personal account of someone who experienced the horrors of the Emergency. This event serves as a reminder to never take our democratic rights and freedoms for granted.
Former US President Donald Trump has taken to the conservative social media platform Truth Social to denigrate Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York Democratic primary. Trump mockingly suggests that the Democratic party nominate a "Low IQ Candidate" like Jasmine Crockett for president and assigns cabinet roles to "AOC+3". Mamdani's win has caused further divisions within the party, leading to the resignation of two union leaders from the party's leadership board. With current frontrunner Eric Adams facing unpopularity and Mamdani's prioritization of cost-of-living issues, his victory is expected to remain strong in the upcoming general election.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in the anti-Emergency movement, saying it was "divine justice" that the same person who opposed Indira Gandhi's "dictatorial ideas" as a 25-year-old eventually became the leader who "uprooted dynastic politics from the country" in 2014. He was speaking at the release of a book titled "The Emergency Diaries - Years that Forged a Leader", chronicling Modi's experiences during the emergency. Shah also spoke about the rationale behind renaming June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas', and noted journalist and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts president Ram Bahadur Rai, who was present at the event, for his contribution to the anti-Emergency movement.
In a recent post on his new social media platform, former President Donald Trump targeted Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected Democratic nominee for New York City mayor. Trump branded Mamdani as a "100% Communist Lunatic" and expressed his eagerness to use him as a symbol for the Democratic Party, similarly to how he used "the squad" during his time as President. Mamdani, a self-described Democratic Socialist, was supported by prominent figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during his campaign.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has shared a cryptic social media post following his party president’s indirect swipe at him over an op-ed praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tharoor’s post, featuring a bird with the caption ‘Don’t ask permission to fly. The wings are yours and the sky belongs to no one’ can be seen as a response to Kharge’s remarks. While Kharge dismissed notions of ‘action’ against Tharoor, he also made it clear that the party’s focus is on saving the nation and not individual opinions. Tharoor’s praise of Modi has become another reason for the Congress to be unhappy with the senior leader.
In what could be considered a stunning upset, 33-year-old state Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani has emerged as the top contender in the June 24 Democratic New York City primary for mayor, defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Despite the results being unofficial until the instant runoff in July, Cuomo has already conceded the nomination to Mamdani. The battle between the two candidates, who represented different ideological poles, centered on issues such as tackling the challenges posed by President Donald Trump, reducing housing costs and homelessness. The race saw hefty spending from billionaires, with a Super PAC backing Cuomo pouring in $24 million, much of it raised from Trump donors.
The ruling BJP-led NDA government has taken the decision to observe June 25 as "Samvidhan Hatya Diwas" or "Constitution Murder Day". On the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the BJP has launched a political campaign that seeks to highlight the Congress party's "anti-democratic mindset". Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at an event commemorating the day, blamed Gandhi for the suspension of democratic rights and emphasised the importance of keeping the memory of the event alive.
On this day, 50 years ago, Indira Gandhi declared a 21-month Emergency that saw the government use various tactics to control the media. More than 200 journalists were imprisoned for refusing to toe the government line, while newspapers were subject to stringent scrutiny and censorship. The government also carried out a merger of news agencies to consolidate its control over the media.
As India commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Emergency, prominent saints and spiritual leaders in Ayodhya reflect on the stark differences between the then-PM Indira Gandhi's reign and the present era under PM Modi. They note that while the Emergency was marked by suppression and hardship, today's India is defined by democratic expansion and developments in public welfare. The saints also denounce the imposition of Emergency as a means to protect personal interests, rather than national interest.