Hyderabad, Jan 28 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday accused the Congress party of betraying the people of Andhra Pradesh by stalling the decision on issue of separate statehood for Telangana region.

BJP spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the Congress'' tactics would cost it dear in the general elections to be held in 2014.

"The Congress party has betrayed the people of Telangana. They had promised to give Telangana statehood after coming to power, but they have not done so, even though their term is nearing an end. The people of Telangana will make the Congress pay. If we form the next government, we will give Telangana its statehood," said Naqvi.

Meanwhile, pro-Telangana protests intensified their agitation here following the decision of the government to defer formation of separate Telangana, saying it needs more time to consult with political parties.

Earlier on December 28, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had assured that the government would come out with a concrete decision within a month.

Citing it a very sensitive issue, Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said that the decision would be taken in due course.

"Telangana is a very sensitive issue. The sentiments of the people of Andhra Pradesh are attached to it. A decision will be taken and will be announced at an appropriate time," said Alvi.

The four-decade-old demand for Telangana, which is to be carved out of the Andhra Pradesh, gathered momentum after the Congress party led-federal government accepted the demand in principle in 2009. (ANI)