JD(U) MLA Anant Singh smoking inside a hospital.

NEW DELHI: A video purportedly showing JD(U) MLA Anant Singh smoking inside a hospital has gone viral on social media, triggering sharp criticism and raising questions over the conduct of the ruling party legislator.According to multiple reports, the footage was recorded at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna, where Singh was taken for medical examinations while lodged in Beur jail.The video sparked widespread backlash online, with opposition leaders accusing the government of double standards.RJD spokesperson Priyanka Bharti shared the clip on X, taking a swipe at the Nitish Kumar-led government. “Anant Singh, blowing good governance up in smoke,” she wrote, adding, “Nitish ji’s pampered villain is making reels while smoking a cigarette in the hospital!” Anant Singh was arrested ahead of polling in Bihar in connection with the murder of Dular Chand Yadav, a supporter of the Jan Suraaj Party. Despite his arrest, he contested the 2025 Bihar assembly elections from the Mokama constituency and emerged victorious. Contesting on a JD(U) ticket, Singh defeated RJD’s Veena Singh by 28,206 votes, according to Election Commission data.Mokama has long been known as a stronghold of influential and controversial “strongmen” in Bihar politics. Anant Singh, along with his brother Dilip Singh and Surajbhan Singh, has been among the most prominent figures emerging from the constituency.