Kathmandu, May 1 -- A meeting of the ruling parties on Wednesday urged the government to introduce policies and programmes aimed at further strengthening the democratic republic, reviving the economy, and instilling hope in the younger generation.

Amid widening differences between Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, the key ruling parties discussed several issues including the appointment of the Nepal Rastra Bank Governor at the meeting called just ahead of the presentation of the government's policy and programmes by President Ramchandra Paudel on Friday. Meanwhile, the government is also expediting budget preparations.

Most of the senior ruling party leaders were present in the meeting except for Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa...