‘Won’t allow any Khan to become Mumbai Mayor’: BJP leader Ameet Satam sparks row after Mamdani’s NYC
_vb_23.jpeg)
Mumbai: A political controversy has erupted in Mumbai after city BJP chief and Andheri West MLA Ameet Satam declared that his party “will not allow any Khan to become mayor,” drawing parallels between New York City’s recent mayoral election and the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
Satam made the remarks on social media following the victory of Zohran Mamdani, the 34-year-old Indian-origin socialist who became New York City’s first South Asian and Muslim mayor.
Calling the trend “vote jihad,” Satam alleged that attempts were being made to bring to Mumbai “the same kind of politics” witnessed in New York. When asked to clarify, he said, “Some people are adopting the path of appeasement to maintain political power. It is necessary to protect Mumbai from such forces that have previously tried to divide society.”
The BJP leader added that while he supports religious harmony, his party would “oppose anyone who tries to divide society by adopting an anti-national stance.”
Satam’s remarks have come just months before the BMC election, where control over India’s richest civic body has long been shaped by local-versus-outsider narratives, a theme historically championed by the Shiv Sena and the MNS.
Political observers say Satam’s comments indicate the BJP may adopt a similar strategy this time. “We will always stand for the development and unity of Mumbai,” he said, adding that “Vande Mataram programmes are being organised across the city, and every citizen has the right to say this with pride. Any attempt to change the social and cultural identity of the city will not be acceptable.”
Zohran Mamdani, the son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and scholar Mahmood Mamdani, defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. His victory is being hailed as a return to progressive politics focused on working-class issues such as free childcare, rent freeze, and public transport reforms, but has also sparked backlash among right-wing groups globally, including in India.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Xi, Trump reach series of new common understandings: China's foreign ministry
Beijing (PTI): Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Donald Trump had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world, and reached a series of new common understandings, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday.
Xi and Trump, who is on a three-day visit to China, met twice on Thursday and discussed a range of bilateral and global issues.
Trump is due to leave on Friday after a luncheon meeting with Xi.
Summing up the outcomes of Trump’s visit to Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the two presidents had an in-depth exchange of views on major issues concerning the two countries and the world and reached a series of new common understandings.
They agreed on a new vision of building a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability to provide strategic guidance for bilateral relations over the next three years and beyond.
The two presidents also agreed to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations, and bring more peace, prosperity and progress to the world, said a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson.
Trump visited China at the invitation of Xi.
The two presidents are meeting in person again for the first time since their Busan meeting last October, and it is the first visit to China by a US president in nine years, the statement said.
On Thursday, President Xi held a welcome ceremony and a banquet for Trump, held talks and visited the Temple of Heaven with him.
VIDEO | Beijing: On second day of bilateral talks, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) thanks Chinese President Xi Jinping for 'incredible' China trip.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 15, 2026
Trump says, "Thank you very much. This has been an incredible visit. I think a lot of good has come of it. We've made some… pic.twitter.com/7A7lbEzLdC
