The sharp, no-holds-barred intervention by Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan during the state cabinet meeting on Friday has set political circles abuzz. In a rare display of assertiveness inside the cabinet, Pawan grilled top officials over the special concessions being extended to Lulu Group.

The cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at Amaravati witnessed tense moments as Pawan Kalyan demanded straight answers from officials over unacceptable bending of rules to accommodate Lulu Group. Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar joined in, questioning the rationale behind these concessions.

Pawan Kalyan, visibly unsparing, zeroed in on Lulu’s subsidiary, Fair Exports, which has been allotted 7.48 acres at Mallavalli in Krishna district for a proposed food park. “What does food processing mean exactly?” he asked, refusing to accept vague replies. “Are they going to grow vegetables and fruits or are they setting up a slaughterhouse to kill cows and export meat?”

The question landed like a thunderclap as he is known for his open endorsement of Hindutva causes. At this point, Chief Minister Naidu intervened to cool the situation. “No permission has been given for slaughtering cows. Only fruit processing is allowed,” he clarified.

The deputy CM then turned to the government’s generosity towards Lulu. “Why is the state so desperate to please them?” he asked Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad. “Will they hire people from Andhra Pradesh or bring their own staff? If locals don’t get jobs, what’s the point of giving away land?”

He questioned the unusual lease concessions. Under state rules, lease amounts must be raised by 10% every three years. Lulu has demanded only a 5% hike every five years. “When Lulu raises rents for shops inside their malls, do they wait ten years? Then why should the government?” Pawan shot back. Minister Manohar echoed his concerns, warning that such deals could end up being lopsided in favour of the company.

Revenue Minister Satya Prasad admitted that Lulu had been making unreasonable demands after being wooed back by the new government, which was keen to undo the damage caused during the previous regime of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. “We are examining their proposals carefully. The final decision will protect the state’s interests,” he said.

Behind the fiery exchanges lies a simmering political layer, while no open rupture is in sight yet, Friday’s cabinet confrontation has sent a loud political signal — Pawan Kalyan is no silent partner. Pawan’s aggressive stand has also fuelled speculation that he is emerging as an internal whistleblower within the coalition, raising uncomfortable questions and forcing the government to justify its decisions in real time.