Taking an indirect swipe at the ruling BJP, the Rajya Sabha M P addressing a press conference here said "in the last six years what we have never seen in Karnataka, what has never happened, has happened......People are looking for a major change and it is for us to fulfill the aspirations of the people".
Now is the opportunity for the Congress party to strengthen Karnataka's position as a forerunner in fields including education, health, scientific research and industrial development, Fernandes said.
To a query on dissidence in the Congress, he said "it is an important question. It is a challenge".
In response to another question on increasing discontent among the loyal workers who had been denied tickets, he said it would be addressed and resolved.