Firstpost Editor's Picks: PM's switch hit, Sarbananda Sonawal on brink, cracks in Black Mirror; today's must read-stories

Modi’s 10% quota plan: PM’s switch hit has reverse-Mandalised Indian politics, caught Opposition off-guard

In a masterly display of his skills, Narendra Modi has not just reversed the direction of the political narrative, swinging it away from the Opposition, but also changed his stance to hit the prevailing Mandal logic out of the park. His game, it was evident in the Parliament on Tuesday, has caught the opponents off-guard and left them with just one choice: Applaud his masterstroke with a tinge of envy.

Sarbananda Sonowal backs Citizenship Bill: Assam CM’s ‘betrayal’ leaves him on brink of political fall

Sarbananda Sonowal’s failure either to prevent the passing of the passed and contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 — that allows Indian citizenship for non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan — in the Lok Sabha or to mark any significant protest against it has been viewed by many as an outright betrayal of those who voted him to power.

Bandersnatch or Bandar’s Naach? Black Mirror’s latest ’event ’ isn’t all it is cracked up to be

A sense of disenchantment with the story isn’t helped when the storyteller attempts to be too clever by half. Too many options that result in sudden death can have a debilitating effect on story engagement, as can an overdose of smugness. Bandersnatch suffers from both of these pitfalls.

New generation of Indian players more knowledgeable about fitness, says assistant coach S Venkatesh

Stephen Constantine’s assistant Shanmugam Venkatesh, who was a player during the Anglo-Cypriot coach’s first stint as India manager, puts the national team’s improvement down to the new generation of players who have a deep knowledge of fitness, training and a mentality to compete against superior sides.

Bill proposing 10 percent quota for the general category’s poor may finally douse anger against Mandal Commission

If the 10 percent quota for the general category poor is brought in, it will not only eat into government jobs and seats at educational institutes, but will also surpass the Supreme Court’s 50 percent cap on reservation. However, the step is unlikely to witness much protest as it includes benefits for a number of classes.