Holding a poster of Balasaheb Thackeray with Raj and Uddhav in his hands, Amar Patil, who had come to the NSCI Dome in Worli to witness the coming together of the estranged Thackeray cousins, said, “We waited 19 years for this… now no one can harm Marathi, Mumbai or Maharashtra.”

As the Thackeray cousins made a theatrical entry on the stage, they hugged each other and bowed to the crowd. The entry of the two brothers at what was touted as a “Marathi victory rally” was wrapped in cultural identity, emotion and reclaiming of the shared legacy of the Thackeray family.

Set to the song from Bal Thackeray’s biopic “Thackeray” “Ekach Saheb… Saheb Aapule Thackeray”, the two bowed before a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, garlanded it together and stood side by side — not just as leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS, but as Thackerays with the crowd erupting to the rare scene of reunion of the two cousins.

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For nearly 20 years, Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS workers were on opposite sides. They were rivals on the ground and in rallies, where they would often clash with each other sloganeering, trading barbs and even fighting in the streets.

But on Saturday morning, at Mumbai’s NSCI Dome in Worli, the rivalry turned into celebration, when the two estranged cousins — Uddhav and Raj — shared the stage and reunited for the cause of Marathi.

From early morning since 8 am, the supporters of both parties started thronging the NSCI Dome raising slogans and showing placards. There were no party flags, no grand alliance announcement and yet, the message rang louder than the slogans echoing through the dome’s bylanes — ‘the Thackerays are back and together’.

The dome began filling up hours earlier, as thousands poured in from across Maharashtra in buses, cars and some on foot and public transport.

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The gathering resembled a Marathi festival, where they danced to the beat of dhols, waved saffron flags, shouted slogans together, and even shared sweets. “The Thackerays coming together is no less than a festival for us and hence we are celebrating,” a group of MNS workers, also joined by Sena (UBT) supporters, said near the entry to the dome.

The atmosphere outside as well as inside the dome was more like a festival. Women wore traditional nauvari sarees, men donned Gandhi caps with “Mi Marathi” written on them, and saffron turbans filled the crowd. Placards carried strong messages: “Donhi Bhau Ekatr – Marathi Zenda Sarvatra,”(two brothers together, Marathi flag all over), “Mumbai Aaplya Hakkachi, Nahi Konacha Bapachi,” and “Learn Marathi or Leave Maharashtra.”

Inside, party workers who once couldn’t see eye to eye were now hugging each other, exchanging sweets, dancing, and shouting slogans together. “This isn’t just about politics anymore,” said Rajendra Nikam from Kalyan, adding “It’s about saving our identity. And only the Thackerays can do that and their reunion is crucial.”

By mid-morning, the dome was packed, the crowd was overwhelming outside.

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The stage was kept simple — no party banners or logos, just a glowing map of Maharashtra and the words: “Awaaz Marathicha” — The voice of the Marathi people.

Although officially the rally was for celebrating the victory for the now-revoked government resolutions that tried to make Hindi a third language in primary school curriculum, the mood made it clear this was much more.

It was about pride, unity, Thackeray family’s reunion — and a possible political comeback of the Thackeray family with the alliance between the parties led by Uddhav and Raj.

At around 12:10 pm, as Uddhav and Raj walked onto the stage together from both sides and met at the centre, thousands of mobile flashlights lit up the dome like a sea of stars and the dome was rocked with cheers and chants of “Kon Ala Re Kon Ala… Maharashtra Cha Wagh Ala!”.

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While NCP leaders like Supriya Sule, Jitendra Awhad, Prakash Reddy, and Jayant Patil were present, only Uddhav and Raj addressed the gathering. And their speeches delivered what the workers and followers had come hoping to hear. “This is not a temporary reunion,” said Uddhav, adding, “We have come together to stay—for the Marathi people.”

Raj added with his usual sharpness, “Fadnavis did what even Balasaheb couldn’t—he brought us back together.”

The dome was so charged with energy that Raj had to ask the crowd to wait until the speeches were over before raising more slogans.

The symbolism continued with the next generation. Uddhav’s son Aaditya Thackeray stood beside Raj, while Raj’s son Amit Thackeray stood next to Uddhav.

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Their mothers—Rashmi and Sharmila—watched the address from the front row while the two brothers shared the dias.

The group photo of both families smiling and raising their arms together was the emotional high point of the day. “This wasn’t an alliance rally. It was a message,” said MNS leader Avinash Jadhav. “From now on, if anyone comes for Marathi, they’ll face us both.”

Even as there was no formal alliance’s announcement, it was an indication of a future alliance. Workers, many of whom had travelled from across Maharashtra, made their message loud and clear—they want the reunion to go beyond symbolism. “Now that the brothers are back together,” said MNS worker Rajesh Sonawane near the exit, “they must stay together for us and Marathi. Maharashtra needs them united—not just in spirit and for causes, but in politics too.”