Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said on Monday that with the Narendra Modi Government’s decision to scrap Article 370 of Constitution for Jammu & Kashmir, the country had secured “full Independence” and that his late father Bal Thackeray’s dream had been “fulfilled”.

Hailing the Centre’s decision to annul Article 370 of the Constitution, Uddhav said: “Today is really a historic day... Had late Balasaheb Thackeray been alive, he would have been extremely happy. His dream has now been fulfilled”.

Talking to media persons, Uddhav said: “August 15 is our Independence day. All the country has secured full independence today. The Government has removed whatever all shackles that remained till today,” the Sena president said

While congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the “historic” decision, Uddhav said that the decision was not restricted to any political party. “All of us to be vigilant that the country’s sovereignty is compromised. This decision (to scrap Article 370) is not restricted to any political party. The decision is of considerable significance from the point of view of the country’s unity and integrity. All of us have to welcome the decision,” he said.

The Shiv Sena has been advocating the need for scrapping of Article 370 of Constitution for years on end. The late Sena chief would often talk about the need for scrapping the controversial Article giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir,

After the notification signed by President Ram Nath Kovind annulling the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of Constitution, the Shiv Sainiks distributed sweets people at several places. Uddhav himself distributed sweets to journalists present at his news conference.Hundreds of Shiv Sainiks also gathered out the Sena Bhavan to celebrate the occasion.

In a related development, Sena’s youth wing president Aditya Thackeray put out a  series of tweets welcoming the Centre’s decision to scrap Article 370. “Historic day for India. 370 scrapped and Jammu & Kashmir now truly a part of India. The path to a safer, progressive and an open J&K determined by citizens, and not anti national separatists has been paved,” he tweeted.

“This is a moment of pride as the NDA. Big congratulations to @PMOIndia, @narendramodiji, Home Minister @AmitShahji, the Parliament & the Citizens of India. This is exactly why we supported the NDA in Lok Sabha 2019 led by Modi ji. Decision for India and the State of J&K,”  Aditya tweeted.

“I pray that now with the reorganisation of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh, the citizens there will benefit with peace, progress and prosperity, which was being held back from them for years due to its isolation from the rest of the country,” the Sena Youth wing president said.