Pro-business group Economic Synergy is apparently leading the race to court independent lawmakers to strengthen its clout in the new Legislative Council.
The group may forge an alliance with four other legislators to create a bloc at least seven strong, which would make it the second-biggest political grouping in Legco.
Economic Synergy has three representatives in Legco - Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen and Lau Wong-fat. All nominated Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's rival Henry Tang Ying-yen in the race for the top job in March.
Lam spearheaded the formation of the Business and Professional Alliance - a loose group of 12 pro-establishment lawmakers - last year. He said yesterday he had been discussing re-forming it, but refused to confirm whether it would involve his Legco neighbours Lo Wai-kwok, Christopher Cheung Wah-fung, Abraham Razack and Priscilla Leung Mei-fun.
"We have agreed to sit together for a reason," Lam said. "[We] have similar thoughts."
If the four agree to join, the bloc will command more votres than the Federation of Trade Unions, the Democratic Party and the Civic Party, all of which have six members in Legco.