Politics and families are inseparable, even when it comes to poll rhetoric. So on Thursday, when BJP firebrand leader Uma Bharti referred to herself as Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi's bua (aunt), she had her rivals barking up the family tree.

Bharti had said, "Rahul Gandhi should remember the Italian background of his mother (Congress president Sonia Gandhi) before commenting on his bua (Bharti)."

Her comment led to a volley of similar references. Congress legislature party leader Pramod Tiwari said, "Historically, 'buas' have not been kind to or have conspired against nephews."

Other Congress leaders referred to mythological character Holika, who tried to burn her nephew Prahalad alive, to make their point.

State Congress chief Rita Bahuguna Joshi said, "It's good to know that she is proudly associating herself with the Gandhi family."

Bharti, however, refused to comment on the issue.

"I am tired and do not want to say anything more," she told HT.

And party leader Vinay Katiyar said he had missed the context.