As the two major political parties stuck to their guns on the issue of caretaker government, a longstanding move to form an alternative third force by some civil-society members and small political parties is gaining ground.

Proactive role of civil-society members has been coupled with the support of foreign diplomats in this regard, observers said.

According to banglanews24.com, unlike in the previous years, the diplomats are likely to be interested to patronise a third player to participate in the political game.

Although such an effort was evident ahead of the ninth parliamentary elections in 2007, it was nipped in the bud.

The catalysts are serious this year, having a broader section of civil-society members, bureaucrats, economists and lawyers united on the issue.

Sources said the homework to form a third force dated back to 2012, but it could not succeed due to dominance of two major parties led by two dynasties.

Uncertainty over next parliament election due to rigid stand of the two major parties has prompted the foreign states to work out a new formula to protect their interests.

In the latest development, Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus has become vocal against the incumbent Awami League government.

Some civil-society members are demanding a caretaker government.

Around 100 persons are exponents of the formula. They include Dr Kamal Hossain, Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, ASM Abdur Rab, Barrister Rafiqul Haque, Barrister Mainul Hosein, Prof Rehman Sobhan, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, AYBY Siddiqui, Dr Akbar Ali Khan, Mahbubul Alam, Prof Badiul Alam Majumdar, Prof Pias Karim, Dr Tofail Ahmed, Mahfuz Anam, Matiur Rahman, Latifur Rahman, Major (retd) Mannan, Khaliquzzaman, Syed Jafar Ahmed, Abu Sayed Khan, Sultan Mohammad Mansur, Abdul Malek Ratan and Anwarul Alam Chowdhury.

Several hundred leaders and activists of the ruling Awami League and opposition BNP are likely inclined to join the third force in the making.

They held several meetings in Singapore and Malaysia. They sat with influential foreign diplomats on at least 30 occasions.

A source said they are trying to form a third force in order to let democratic rule continue and stop family dynasty under the leaderships of Awami League and BNP.

Recently, Gono Forum held its 20th founding anniversary. The programme was attended by top leaders of the parties other than Awami League and BNP. Members of the civil society were also seen there.

Dr Kamal Hossain, Gono Forum president, called upon the attendants and likeminded people to form a third force.

Many are skeptical about success of the move. However, people will welcome any initiative meant for peace. But if anybody would like to fish in the troubled waters, they would be rejected.