After a slew of tough decisions, UP Chief Minister Mayawati has shown a soft approach to the prisoners in the state.
   The chief minister on Sunday announced that about 4,000 prisoners from the state’s jails would be released. This would include those convicted for minor offences and those suffering from major or incurable diseases. Male prisoners above the age of 66 and female prisoners above the age of 62 years would also be released.
   But those suffering from incurable diseases and aged prisoners must have completed at least half their terms by June 3, 2007. The cut off date for the populist decision, which does not include murder convicts and those belonging to other states, is significant for it marks Mayawati’s election to the office for the first time 12 years ago. On June 3, 1995, Mayawati  sworn in as chief minister with BJP support after a dramatic turn of events following the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) withdrawal of support from the Samajwadi Party (SP).
   A beaming Mayawati was hosting the media to lunch at a spanking hotel where the announcement was made. She also reiterated her stance on the decisions of the former government and said that the nexus between industrialists and the government and subsequent “anti-people’ decisions taken in the wake shall be thoroughly probed.
   Her government has already recommended to the Centre to put an end to the Anil Ambani proposed SEZ in Noida.  On the presidential election, the BSP chief said that her party would decide in a few days.