Pakistani-linked socialist group helped Mamdani secure New York mayoral win: report

A Pakistani-origin leftist group is reported to have played a key role in supporting New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, through a South Asian political network that mobilised tens of thousands of voters, according to a New York Post investigation.

The report said Mamdani’s campaign was backed by Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM) — a New York-based immigrant rights organisation — and its political wing, DRUM Beats. Both groups allegedly coordinated efforts with individuals linked to Pakistan’s Haqooq-e-Khalq Party (HKP), a socialist movement founded by Pakistani academic Ammar Ali Jan and veteran activist Farooq Tariq.

Citing campaign disclosures and social media records, the Post reported that DRUM and HKP-linked organisers, including Raza Gillani, Mohiba Ahmed and Zahid Ali, were actively involved in Mamdani’s mayoral campaign. DRUM’s director of organising, Kazi Fouzia, was credited with mobilising South Asian voters across New York’s boroughs.

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According to DRUM’s own figures, South Asian and Indo-Caribbean voter turnout rose sharply during the 2025 Democratic primary, with Bangladeshi participation increasing by 13% and Pakistani turnout by 11%. The surge was reportedly pivotal in Mamdani’s victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo.

The Post also noted that the overlap between DRUM and DRUM Beats could raise legal questions, as 501(c)(3) non-profits are prohibited from political campaigning.

DRUM and its political arm share the same leadership and address, while Mamdani’s campaign reportedly paid DRUM Beats $20,000 during the election cycle.