As the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections approach, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) face substantial internal challenges in reconciling new leadership with existing party structures. Defections from rival parties have not only reshaped the political landscape but also triggered organizational dissent and highlighted ideological divisions within both parties.

The upcoming election is set to be more than a contest for legislative seats—it's a litmus test of each party's ability to align ideologically diverse leaders and maintain internal cohesion.

The BJP, known for its strong Hindutva ideology and disciplined organizational framework, has welcomed numerous defectors from other parties, presenting an integration challenge. While these new entrants bring electoral weight, their past political affiliations pose difficulties in aligning with the BJP’s existing values and loyal cadres.

One success story in this respect is Geeta Koda. Having joined the BJP before the Lok Sabha elections, she quickly embraced the party's ideological framework and worked diligently to foster strong relationships with grassroots workers. Koda's example shows that newcomers can thrive within the BJP, but the process demands effort, time, and strategic investment in coordination.

Champai Soren and Lobin Hembrom, both former JMM leaders now with the BJP, have similarly managed to solidify their positions by working closely with party workers. Soren, a key figure within Jharkhand’s tribal community, successfully navigated the transition to the BJP, maintaining the support of his base while building trust within his new party. Lobin Hembrom followed a similar path, managing to harmonize with BJP’s cadres, enhancing his influence and operational effectiveness.

For the JMM, the integration of former BJP leaders such as Ganesh Mahali, Basko Besra, Bari Murmu, and Kunal Sarangi has presented its own set of difficulties. These leaders, known for their strong ties to the BJP and its Hindutva ideology, are now attempting to align with the JMM’s core base of tribal and Muslim workers. While they bring leadership skills and political experience, their past affiliations with the BJP pose a challenge in garnering trust from JMM’s traditional base.

Ganesh Mahali and Kunal Sarangi are at the forefront of this tension, as their prior association with Hindutva may create friction among JMM's Muslim and tribal factions. While there is potential for successful integration, it will require considerable effort and strategic leadership to smooth over ideological rifts. Failure to do so could risk alienating JMM’s grassroots workers.

“ The perception among JMM’s base is that these defectors may dilute the party’s ideological integrity. The challenge for JMM leadership lies in ensuring that these new leaders can effectively coordinate with the existing structure without undermining the party's tribal and minority support,” said a political analyst.

He said that both the BJP and JMM are thus navigating similar challenges of internal coordination, though the complexities differ. For the BJP, the question is how Muslim-supporting leaders might align with its Hindu nationalist cadres. Meanwhile, for JMM, the inclusion of ex-BJP leaders with a Hindutva image could disrupt its traditional tribal and minority alliances.

Ultimately, how effectively these two major parties balance their new and old leadership will be a decisive factor in determining their electoral success in Jharkhand’s 2024 Assembly elections.