A possible alliance between Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led MNS is unlikely to affect the BJP's poll prospects, a ruling party functionary has said, citing an internal survey given the coming Mumbai civic body elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun preparations for polls to the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as well as other major civic bodies, including Pune and Thane, likely to be held later this year.

Cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray have sparked speculation about a possible reconciliation with statements indicating they could ignore "trivial issues" and join hands nearly two decades after a bitter parting of ways.