The BJP's victory in Odisha is attributed to a combination of Odia pride, anti-incumbency, and the Hindutva umbrella, rather than solely religious consolidation. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's late attempts to address caste politics and youth aspirations through a Backward Classes Commission survey were insufficient to counter the shift. A key challenge ahead is the reservation paradox, where existing ST/SC quotas approach the 50% cap, leaving limited space for other backward classes, potentially leading to conflict over power distribution.