Rampur(UP): SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav rode an imported Victorian-style 'buggy' today and around 40 ministers gathered for his 75th mega birthday bash, fuelling criticism that was met with a caustic response from Azam Khan that Taliban and Dawood Ibrahim provided funds for the event.

Thousands of Azam's supporters accompanied the 'buggy' (horse-driven carriage) carrying Mulayam, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav besides Khan, a state minister, as it proceeded towards the venue--Jauhar University--where the SP chief will celebrate his birthday by cutting a 75-feet-long cake at midnight.