HYDERABAD l Thursday l February 05, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 18 l late cITY EDITION IT stocks crash after AI tool that automates core work unveiled Sentiment turned sharply negative on Wednesday after a US start-up unveiled a new plug-in for its AI tool that could disrupt traditional IT businesses Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of AI startup Anthropic Traditional software biz faces disruption Infosys falls the most among large cos US-based AI company Anthropic unveiled its new AI tool, Cowork, last month. What sent the IT stocks into a tailspin on Wednesday was a new plugin for this tool that automates tasks across legal, sales, marketing, and data analysis. This could cut the need for custom-built software and human expertise, reducing dependence on traditional IT companies | P12 ■ ■ Shares of Infosys plunged 7.19%, that of Tata Consultancy Services 6.95%, HCL Technologies 4.22% and LTIMindtree 5.51% on the BSE In the US market, the Nasdaq Composite index tanked 1.43% on Tuesday and was down 1.25% in early trading on Wednesday. Shares of major firms like Nvidia Corp and Alphabet Inc registered declines 50% entry-level white-collar jobs could be disrupted in 1–5 yrs: aNTHROPIC CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Rahul’s ‘traitor’ jibe at Bittu sparks political firestorm P R EETHA NA I R & HA R P R EET B A J W A @ New Delhi / Chandigarh A sharp war of words between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu snowballed into a political storm on Wednesday with the BJP urging the Lok Sabha Speaker to take action against Rahul. The face-off took place outside Parliament’s Makar Dwar, where Rahul Gandhi was standing with the suspended opposition MPs, who were protesting on the stairs. While walking past the protesting MPs, Bittu said, “They are sitting here as if they have won a war.” Responding to the comment, Rahul said, “The thing is, here is a traitor walking right by. Take a look at the face. How he looks.” Rahul then extended his hand towards Bittu and said, “Hello brother, my traitor friend. Don’t worry you will , come back to the Congress.” Bittu refused to shake hands, saying: “Desh ke dushman (enemies of the country),” pointing at Rahul. A former close aide of Gandhi, Bittu had switched to the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Later in a video statement, Bittu asked why Rahul didn’t say such a thing to other MPs, but only to a Sikh? “I am the grandson of a martyr (ex-Punjab CM Beant Singh, who was assassinated by militants in 1995) and as long as I was in the Congress, it was fine. But, now that I am with the BJP he is giving , me such names,” he said. Stepping up the attack, the BJP fielded its Sikh leaders, including Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, to accuse the Congress of harbouring the same “anti-Sikh mentality” that was on display at the height of the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. Defending Rahul, Congress MP Sukhpla Singh Khaira said the word “my traitor friend” used by Rahul was to address Bittu as an individual who ditched the party in testing times. “It is by no means an insult to the Sikh community .” The ‘traitor jibe’ evoked sharp reactions in Punjab, which will go to polls next year. Ashwani Sharma, working president of the BJP in Punjab, said Rahul is trying to cover up his failures by using abusive language. Lok Sabha impasse forces cancellation of Modi’s address Cong insisted on Rahul Gandhi completing his speech, suspension of BJP MP Dubey Opposition MPs seeking to gherao the Treasury benches in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday | PTI Revanth govt collecting ‘RR tax’: Nabin M a n da Rav i n d e r R e d dy @ Hyderabad Launching a blistering attack on the ruling Congress in Telangana, BJP national president Nitin Nabin on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of collecting ‘RR tax’. He said: “The BRS may have lost power and the Congress may have come to office, but Commission Raj and Mafia Raj continue unabated. This is not a Congress government. It is a commission-driven government. The Congress is collecting Rahul–Revanth tax (RR Tax). The BJP will unite the people and fight these corrupt practices.” Nabin further accused the Revanth government and the Telangana Congress of indulging in appeasement politics, alleging that Telugu-speaking people and the state’s social BJP national president Nitin Nabin, along with Union minister G Kishan Reddy and party state president Ramchander Rao, addressing a meeting in Mahbubnagar fabric were being undermined. He claimed that the chief minister had raised slogans that, according to him, were detrimental to culture and Sanatani traditions. “Revanth himself has said that ‘Congress is Muslims and next Bharosa instalment after civic polls: revanth A S e s h a c h a ryulu @ Nalgonda P r e e t h a N a ir @ New Delhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled reply to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address could not take place on Wednesday, as the Opposition stepped up its attack on the government for blocking Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s speech and suspension of eight MPs. As soon as the House convened at 5 pm after three adjournments, women MPs from the Opposition marched towards the Treasury benches holding banners which read “Do what is right.” Modi was not present in the House when the Opposition members made their way to the Treasury benches protesting against the suspension of MPs and former Army Chief M M Naravane’s unpublished memoir. BJP MP Sandhya Rai, who was in the chair, adjourned the proceedings for the day in a few minutes. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “PM Modi won’t come to Parliament because he is scared and doesn’t want to face the truth.” Later, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called a meeting of the floor leaders in both Houses. It was decided that floor leaders of all Opposition parties will meet on Thursday morning to chalk out the strategy ahead. “How can the PM speak when the LOP was not allowed to speak? What was the PM going to reply to?” said Congress MP Jairam Ramesh. Though Speaker Om Birla convened a meeting of the Opposition leaders at 4 pm ahead of the PM’s scheduled speech, it failed to break the logjam. The Opposition put forward two demands — the suspension of BJP’s Nishikant Dubey and to allow Rahul to speak in the House. The meeting was attended by Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi and K C Venugopal among others. The leaders conveyed to the Speaker that if the government does not yield, the Opposition will disrupt the PM’s speech. Earlier, a row erupted when Dubey began his speech by referring to books such as Edwina and Nehru and Mitrokhin Archive among others and made remarks targeting former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. Modi gave the message (to the then Army Chief MM Naravane), do what you think is right (on LAC). Meaning he shed responsibility Rahul Gandhi, LS Leader of Opposition Fire-fighting by Speaker Speaker Om Birla convened a meeting of the Opposition at 4 pm ahead of the PM’s scheduled speech, but it failed to break the logjam Rule 349 Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced that the next instalment of Rythu Bharosa would be credited to farmers’ accounts immediately after the completion of the municipal elections, along with the sanction of lakhs of houses for the poor in the upcoming Budget. Addressing a large public gathering on Wednesday after laying the foundation stone for a Young India Integrated School at Guduru village in Miryalaguda mandal, he highlighted his government’s commitment to agricultural welfare. He noted that nine days ago, the government deposited `9,000 crore into farmers’ accounts at `6,000 per acre, and another `9,000 crore would be released after the elections. Highlighting the scale of support, he stated that `21,000 crore in farm loans had already been waived, with a total of `1.1 lakh crore allocated for various agricultural schemes. He emphasised that state welfare schemes, including fine rice distribution, 200 units of free power supply, and free power for agriculture, are being provided to all eligible citizens irrespective of political affiliations. He specifically mentioned that women contesting on BJP or BRS tickets in Miryalaguda are also benefiting from these schemes, in contrast to the previous BRS regime, which he alleged restricted benefits o n ly t o p a r t y wo rke r s. Revanth further criticised for mer chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s past re- S U C H I T R A K A LYAN M O HANT Y @ New Delhi Rahul Gandhi exchanges words with MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu (R) | PTI No extra charges for new power connections Hyderabad: In a major relief to domestic consumers and farmers in the state, the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission, as part of reforms, has done away with additional charges levied for extending power lines. | P2 New beginning Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla felicitates new Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh after his swearing-in ceremony, in Imphal, on Wednesday; and (inset) deputy chief ministers L Dikho (tip) and Nemcha Kipgen | PTI | P10 All that glitters... M e g h n a N at h @ Hyderabad Medals awarded to students for academic excellence are set to lose much of their sheen, with several state-run universities deciding to significantly reduce the gold content due to soaring prices of the yellow metal. In addition, universities have increased the deposit amount required from individuals or organisations sponsoring gold medals under the endow- University gold medals lose lustre as prices soar ment category from `2 lakh to `5 lakh to manage rising costs. Traditionally a standard gold , medal weighs about 20 grams and is made of a combination of copper, silver, and a limited quantity of pure bullion gold. For instance, a medal now contains around 17.1 grams of copper, 2 grams of silver, and 0.9 grams of gold, down from two grams of gold two to three years ago. Officials clarified that medals are not goldcoated, as is commonly believed, but contain pure bullion gold in controlled proportions. The surge in prices has forced universities to re- CONTINUED ON P4 Lens on Korean online games as 3 minor sisters die by suicide Ni t i n R a w at & N a mi ta B a jpa i @ Ghaziabad/Lucknow three sisters, aged 12, 14 and 16, allegedly addicted to a Korean task-based online game, died by suicide in Ghaziabad on Wednesday by jumping from a balcony of their ninthfloor apartment. T h e y l ive d with their father suicide PREVENTION Chetan Kumar, a helpline forex trader. At (24x7) the time of the incident, Kumar and his wife were sleeping. The girls were in Contact: another room. Tele MANAS counsellors at: The couple 14416 (OR) heard a noise and rushed to 1800-89-14416 the girls’ room. “We saw the room was locked. We broke open the door and found the girls were not there. We ran downstairs and saw them lying on the ground,” they said. “Papa, sorry We can. not leave Korea. Korea is our life, Korea is our soul, and you cannot separate us from it,” their suicide note read. Mamata argues in SC, questions SIR express read Hyderabad: Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad on Wednesday gave a clean chit to Jagtial MLA M Sanjay Kumar in the disqualification petitions, ruling that there was no evidence of defection from BRS to Congress | P4 marks on paddy cultivation, stating that while the previous government discouraged farmers, the present administration is providing a bonus of `500 per quintal in addition to the minimum support price, earning Telangana the top rank in the country in paddy production. Taking a jibe at the BRS leadership’s lifestyle and governance, he alleged that while common people were denied double-bedroom houses for a decade, KCR constructed a `2,000-crore “gadi” (mansion) and maintained a 1,000-acre farmhouse. He said the Indiramma Housing scheme is now providing `5 lakh to beneficiaries who own plots, with a total outlay of `22,500 crore. On regional development, he accused the BRS of neglecting Nalgonda’s fluoride problem and the SLBC tunnel project. He claimed that while 30 km of the tunnel was completed in the undivided state, the BRS failed to dig even 10 km in 10 years. Revanth’s ‘benami’ firm got `6K cr projects: KTR | p4 As Dubey kept listing books about the Gandhi family, the chair disallowed it citing Rule 349, which bars reading from any book except in connection with the business of the House Jagtial MLA gets relief in disqualification case Muslims are Congress’. This exposes the mindset of Congress politics,” he said, alleging that the party consistently pursues Muslim vote-bank politics while failing to work for the general public. On his maiden visit to Telan- gana after assuming charge as BJP national president, Nabin arrived earlier in the day at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, where he received a grand welcome f ro m p a r t y l e a d e r s a n d workers. He later addressed boothlevel workers at Mahbubnagar, alongside BJP state president N Ramchander Rao, Union minister G Kishan Reddy MPs , D K Aruna, K Lakshman, and other senior leaders. Addressing the gathering, the BJP chief alleged that the Congress government had reduced budgetary allocations for the welfare of SCs, STs and OBCs, while increasing spending on minority welfare. He also alleged that the government was strengthening the Wakf Board, which he claimed owns nearly 77,000 acres of land.  CONTINUED ON P4 duce the quantity of gold used in medals without compromising their overall weight or appearance. This aims to control costs while continuing the long-standing tradition of awarding gold medals to students. Every year, universities con- fer approximately 50 to 100 gold medals during convocation ceremonies on PhD scholars, PG and undergraduate students. Under the endowment category , while some universities have raised the deposit amount from `1 lakh to `2 lakh, others have increased it from `2 lakh to `5 lakh. CONTINUED ON P7 THE Supreme Court on Wednesday witnessed dramatic scenes as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared in person to make submissions in a case challenging the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal. Banerjee, who holds a law degree and had briefly practised as a lawyer, alleged her state was being targeted and people were being bulldozed. “We are not getting justice,” she told a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi. Banerjee, who was represented by senior advocates Shyam Divan and Kapil Sibal, sought five minutes to personally advance submissions. The CJI granted her 15 minutes. “They (EC) are targeting Bengal. We have given everything to ECI... all kinds of documents, but got no justice. I am a very less important person. But please protect people’s rights,” Banerjee told the bench with folded hands. She alleged that the names of women who take their husbands’ surnames after marriage or shift to their in-laws’ houses are deleted, citing mismatches. The bench took note of Banerjee’s submission and said genuine persons must remain on electoral rolls. Referring to the EC as a ‘WhatsApp Commission’ that passes instructions through the instant messaging app, Banerjee alleged that “the SIR process is only for deletion, not inclusion”. pti Questioning the rationale for conducting SIR, she asked how a process that usually takes two years can be done in three months. Opposing the submissions of Banerjee, senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the EC, said the West Bengal government was not cooperative. “We wrote to the state government so many times to give grade-two officers to be appointed as EROs (electoral registration officers). Only 80 officers were given.”