Zohran Mamdani likely to be New York's next mayor unless 2 of his opponents quit race: Trump
Washington (AP): US President Donald Trump has said he thinks Democrat Zohran Mamdani is likely to become New York City's next mayor unless two of the three major candidates running against him drop out of the race.
But the Republican didn't say which two candidates he'd like to see quit.
Trump said “No” when he was asked by a reporter on Thursday night if he'd urged or encouraged any of the candidates in the race to drop out, but went on to say he would like to see that happen.
“I don't think you can win unless you have one-on-one, and somehow he's gotten a little bit of a lead,” Trump said of Mamdani.
“I have no idea how that happened.”
The president, who spoke as he hosted a dinner at the White House with tech executives, went on, “I would like to see two people drop out and have it be one-on-one, and I think that's a race that could be won.”
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist, has been the presumptive favourite in the election since soundly beating former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June.
But Cuomo is still on the ballot as an independent, as is incumbent Mayor Eric Adams. Joining those three Democrats in the field is Republican Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels crime patrol group.
Recently, intermediaries for Trump reached out to people close to Adams to talk about whether he would consider abandoning his reelection campaign to take a federal job, according to people familiar with those conversations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks.
On a recent trip to Miami, Adams met with Steve Witkoff, a former real estate developer in New York who is now one of Trump's main diplomatic envoys in Washington, according to one of the people briefed on the discussions.
Adams acknowledged meeting with “several political figures” on his Florida trip, which he said was to “deal with some personal issues.” But he has repeatedly insisted he won't quit.
Adams reiterated his intention of staying in the race Thursday, adding that he wasn't bothered by growing calls for him to end his campaign.
“Just because people yell at you and call your names, and just because a number of people ask you to step down or don't do what you believe, you're supposed to succumb to that? That's not what I do.”
Adams' campaign was deeply wounded when he was indicted on corruption charges last year, then developed a warm relationship with Trump that bothered many Democrats in one of the country's most liberal cities.
There was further backlash from Democrats after the Justice Department said it was dropping the case so that Adams could assist with Trump's immigration crackdown.
At a news conference on Thursday, Cuomo called on Adams to drop out.
“If Mamdani is the existential threat, if you believe that, then at a point you should defer to the strongest candidates,” Cuomo said.
Sliwa, meanwhile, has cast himself as the best candidate to take on Mamdani.
“The assumption here is that Eric Adams' voters, if he does drop out, are all going to jump to Cuomo. That ain't happening,” Sliwa said in an interview.
“There's a lot of anger toward Cuomo. They've been going back and forth like two scorpions in a brandy glass.”
Sliwa added that he also isn't quitting, and said no one from the Trump administration had reached out yet to urge him to do so.
“I can assure you for 9,852th time in this campaign I've had to answer this: I'm not dropping out. I'm in it until November 4,” he said.
“I don't care if people drop out. I'd encourage them to stay in. Let the people decide. That's what democracy is about, a vote.”
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'No full stop in politics': PM bids farewell to 59 RS members, hails Deve Gowda, Kharge, Pawar
New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to 59 members retiring from the Rajya Sabha between April and July, calling Parliament "an open university" and urging outgoing legislators to continue contributing to national life.
Addressing the Upper House on the occasion of the biennial farewell, Modi said such moments naturally dissolve partisan divides.
"A shared sentiment emerges within us all -- the realisation that our colleagues are now moving forward to undertake other endeavours," he said.
To members who do not plan to return, the Prime Minister offered reassurance: "In politics, there is no such thing as a full stop. The future awaits you as well, and your experience will forever remain an enduring part of our national life."
Modi reserved special praise for three senior leaders -- former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and NCP chief Sharad Pawar -- calling them stalwarts who have spent more than half their lives in parliamentary proceedings.
"The manner in which they continue to attend the House with such dedication is truly exemplary -- a spirit from which all new parliamentarians ought to learn," he said.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to outgoing Deputy Chairman Harivansh, describing him as "gentle and soft-spoken" yet a "man of rigorous action".
He noted that Harivansh had continued to travel across the country during recess periods, engaging with the youth on issues of national importance.
In a lighter vein, Modi singled out Union Minister Ramdas Athawale. "Our Athawale-ji is truly evergreen," he said, drawing laughter in the House.
"He is departing, yet I am confident no one will feel a void -- he will continue to serve tirelessly."
Reflecting on the bicameral structure of Parliament, the Prime Minister likened the passage of legislation between the two Houses to seeking a "second opinion" -- a practice, he said, that strengthens democratic decision-making.
"A decision taken in one House goes to the other for a second opinion. This gives new direction to the entire debate and the decision-making process," he said.
Modi also noted that some outgoing members had the rare distinction of having served in both old and new Parliament buildings. He described a six-year Rajya Sabha term as "an invaluable opportunity to shape one's life", offering legislators deep insight into the nuances of national affairs.
