Mahendrasinh Kacharsinh Baraiya (born 1978) is an Indian politician from the state of Gujarat. He served as a Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly representing the Prantij constituency, initially elected in the 2012 state elections as a candidate of the Indian National Congress (INC). He was re‑elected for a subsequent term covering 2017–2022. In August 2022, Baraiya left the INC and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Baraiya was born in Gujarat, India, in 1978. He is married to Shobhanaben Baraiya, who has also been active in regional politics. During his tenure with the INC, Baraiya participated in legislative activities pertaining to his constituency and the broader legislative agenda of the state assembly. After switching allegiance to the BJP, he aligned with the party’s platform and leadership in Gujarat.
His political career reflects a shift from the centrist policies of the INC to the right‑leaning orientation of the BJP, a move that was reported in Indian media in 2022. Baraiya’s party change occurred ahead of the Gujarat state elections, underscoring the fluid nature of party affiliations in regional Indian politics.
