PHOTO: Capture from Cuomo’s post on X.
Mayoral Candidate Andrew Cuomo visits BAPS Flushing Swaminarayan Mandir
By Archana Adalja
Mayoral Candidate, former NY Governor, Andrew Cuomo, and his team of supporters visited the BAPS Flushing Swaminarayan Mandir, Sunday, August 24, 2025, in an outreach event to meet the Indian community.
Before speaking to the Mandir gathering, Cuomo visited the temple’s images of deities and stood in reverence as the priest chanted ‘shanty paath’ and also participated in ‘abhishek’. A 3-D photo of Akshardham in New Jersey was presented to him by the Mandir’s priest.
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Addressing the gathering of close to two thousand people, Cuomo talked of his long experience being Governor for New York, signing new legislations and supporting economic and healthcare policies. His term as the Governor saw him sign legislation on same-sex marriages, gun control, minimum wage, family leave, and expansion of Medicaid, he said.
PHOTO: Provided by Vipul Patel
He said he also oversaw construction of LaGuardia Airport and of the Second Avenue Subway, completing transportation hubs of the Moynihan Train Hall and the former Tappan Zee Bridge.
Outlining his mandate, if elected Mayor under the independent seat, Cuomo said he wanted to bring safety to New York City by increasing the presence of uniformed police in the subways. He will also work for Economic development, affordable housing and mental health and homelessness in the city, he said.
Cuomo said the Indian community had always been very supportive of his projects, and added that he looked forward to such support in the upcoming Mayoral election. At the same time, he also affirmed his support for the Indian community. Earlier in June, Cuomo had visited the Sikh Gurudwara in Richmond Hill in Queens.
PHOTO : Provided by Vipul Patel.
Cuomo was accompanied by Ismael Malave-Perez who is running for the comptroller’s office, President of New American Voters Association (NAVA) and District leader Dr. Dilip Nath, NAVA Chairman Dr. Harikrishna Shukla and Vice President Subhash Patel.
Also in the visiting team were political leaders from Flushing and nearby areas including Dr. Neeta Jain of Democratic Organization of Queens County, State Assembly District leader Martha Flores Vasquez, Democratic District leader Vishnu Rana Magar and Shaimi Jacob from the NYS Office of Comptroller, Koshy Thomas from Assemblyman Edward Braunstein’s office, Neil Trivedi from Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar’s office and Harsh Parekh from Cuomo’s office
Representatives from community organizations including the American Bengali Hindu Foundation and the NATH Mission of USA also attended the outreach event. Others present included Community leader Guruji Dilipji, Andre Fadhel from the World Alliance of Religious Peace, Mariam Singh from NYC Corrections Desi Society, Jagannath Rao from ISKCON, Aswini Parsaud, Sanjiv Jindal, Kirti Shukla, and Dipa Nath.
“The Hindu community is an essential cornerstone of New York’s mosaic,” posted Cuomo following the visit on X. “A tremendous delight visiting friends at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Flushing,” he said, adding, “Every faith, every tradition, every community has a place here. That diversity is our strength, and it’s what makes this city unlike any other.” Cuomo expressed similar sentiments and posted photos of his visit on Instagram.