Can Indian cities ever have strong mayors? Why it is unlikely

Back in India, though, many wondered if our own cities could ever experience a similarly politically charged campaign, or a remarkable mayoral feat such as Mamdani’s in New York City. Perhaps not. That’s simply because the seat of the mayor has limited political or even aspirational value in India. In fact, most citizens, including those who step out to vote in municipal elections, can hardly recall the name of their last city mayor, let alone show any interest in who might be elected next. While the mayor’s office in London or New York — or even Manila, Jakarta, Sao Paulo…