Arrah Lok Sabha constituency

Arrah Lok Sabha constituency (formerly Shahabad) is one of the 40 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in Bihar, India. It is a part of the Bhojpur district and comprises seven Assembly constituencies: Sandesh, Barhara, Arrah, Agiaon (SC), Tarari, Jagdishpur and Shahpur.

About
In 1977, the erstwhile Shahabad Lok Sabha constituency was renamed as Arrah Lok Sabha.

Social equation
The constituency was represented by only two parliamentarians till 1980. Bali Ram Bhagat, who hailed from Yadav caste and Chandradeo Prasad Verma, who was a member of Kushwaha (Koeri) caste were the parliamentarians, who had the distinction of getting elected from this seat for multiple times. After these two parliamentarians, the constituency elected different candidates everytime in next elections till 2009. This constituency is known for struggle between some caste groups for getting their men elected in Indian General Elections to Lok Sabha from the first General Elections itself.

Until 2004, only Yadav and Koeri candidates were elected in different elections, except in 1989, when Rameshwar Prasad, a member of Extremely Backward Caste was elected on the symbol of Indian People's Front. In 1996, 1998 and 1999 elections, Chandradeo Prasad Verma, Haridwar Prasad Singh and Ram Prasad Kushwaha, all three belonging to Koeri caste were elected from this constituency. From 2009 onwards, the candidates belonging to Rajput caste are getting elected.

1976-2008
From 1976 to 2008, the Arrah Lok Sabha constituency had 6 Bihar Legislative Assembly seats. Maner and Paliganj from Patna district and Sandesh, Barhara, Arrah and Sahar from Bhojpur district.

2008-Present
Arrah Lok Sabha constituency comprises the following seven Bihar Legislative Assembly seats, all from Bhojpur district.

1952-1957
See Patna-cum-Shahabad Lok Sabha constituency for 1st Lok Sabha.

1957-1977
See Shahabad Lok Sabha constituency. It was in existence from 2nd to 5th Lok Sabha

1977-Present
As present day Arrah Lok Sabha constituency. It is in existence since the 6th Lok Sabha. The erstwhile Shahabad district was bifurcated into Bhojpur district (Arrah) and Rohtas district (Sasaram) in year 1972.