New York, Jan 2 (NationPress) Zohran Kwame Mamdani has officially assumed the role of mayor in the most populous city in the US, renowned for its financial prowess, with a steadfast commitment to govern "boldly and expansively" as a democratic socialist. At his inauguration on New Year’s Day, radical Democratic Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders administered the oath of office, asserting that Mamdani's triumph symbolized a victory over the "Democratic establishment, the Republican establishment, the president of the United States, and a cadre of immensely wealthy oligarchs."

After taking his oath on the steps of City Hall, Mamdani pledged to enact the socialist principles he stood for and expressed his intention to restore an era of a robust government.

"I will not forsake my principles for the sake of being labeled radical," he declared.

He committed to revitalizing "the era of big government" to "enhance the lives of New Yorkers".

"We will supplant the coldness of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism," stated Mamdani, who is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America.

He emphasized that his administration would "never waver in the battle against corporate greed and will not back down in the face of challenges".

He reiterated his campaign promises of free public transport, free childcare from six months old, government-operated stores, and a moratorium on rent hikes for city-regulated housing.

"The billionaire class in this city and nation must comprehend that in America, they cannot have everything," said Sanders, one of his mentors. "This great country must be for all of us, not just a select few. That lesson begins today in New York City."

Mamdani, who emerged victorious in the election last November, is the first Muslim and South Asian mayor of the city. A Ugandan native, he is also the firstborn of African descent.

He is the offspring of acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani, who has Indian roots.

The formal inauguration commenced with a prayer to Allah by Imam Khalid Latif, who asserted in his address that this would be a "different" New York, where "a young immigrant democratic socialist can be audacious enough to run and courageous enough to win without renouncing conviction".

To demonstrate his socialist principles, he arrived at the ceremony in a standard taxi, despite being under police protection, whom he had previously denounced as "racist" and a "major threat to the populace".

Mamdani took his oath on two Korans, one belonging to his grandfather and another to an African American author, with his wife, Rama Duwaji, holding them as he repeated the words after Sanders.

Following the ceremony, a block party was hosted on Broadway, featuring entertainment and dancing to continue the festivities.

City officials projected an attendance of 40,000, as attendees braved the biting cold of minus 2 degrees Celsius.

Earlier at midnight, while hundreds of thousands celebrated the New Year in Times Square, Mamdani was sworn in privately by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, an opponent of former President Donald Trump, in an abandoned yet ornate metro station beneath City Hall.

This midnight ceremony, which formally established his control over the city, was attended only by family, a select group of loyal supporters, and the media, in stark contrast to the jubilant celebrations in the city's core.

Meanwhile, in Times Square, where temperatures dropped to around minus 1 degree Celsius, crowds sang "New York, New York" as the iconic crystal-embedded ball descended on a pole atop a building, marking the annual tradition of welcoming the New Year.

This ball-drop also signified the conclusion of the mayoralty of Democrat Eric Adams, the city’s second African American mayor, who faced criticism from former President Joe Biden for his remarks on illegal immigration and was scrutinized by his Justice Department.

Mamdani, a Shia Muslim, achieved a surprising victory in the party primary and subsequently in the general election.

In both instances, he outperformed former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo by tapping into a wave of dissatisfaction regarding the high cost of living and the traditional political apparatus.

He secured only 51 percent of the votes, with the remainder split between Cuomo and a maverick Republican, Curtis Sliwa.

Despite claims of a landslide victory from him and his supporters, the narrow margin indicates that nearly half the city views him with skepticism.

He has since moderated some radical statements and has sought to engage with the Jewish community, a significant portion of whom regard some of his remarks and alliances as anti-Semitic.

The city fire commissioner resigned, citing Mamdani’s stance toward Jews, although the Jewish police commissioner agreed to continue in his post.

To appeal to his Islamic and radical bases, he has made the seemingly ludicrous threat of arresting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who would be under federal Secret Service protection.

Mamdani has distanced himself from extremist calls for the seizure of the "means of production".

The central theme of his campaign has been "affordability", a rallying cry addressing the high cost of living in a city that serves as a financial and media hub with significant income disparities.

Many of his proposed initiatives would necessitate state approval and require millions in funding.

His "tax the rich" proposals—echoed by Sanders—to fund his programs have faced resistance, as approximately 45 percent of the city’s total income tax revenue of $18.5 billion is contributed by about 1 percent of high earners, who might leave the city.

Mamdani has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has participated in a Khalistani demonstration where offensive slogans against Hindus were chanted.

He has neither distanced himself from these actions nor condemned them.