Kolkata: Suspended All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) spokesperson Riju Dutta has hit back at the party’s decision to suspend him for six years, dismissing the move as retaliation for “speaking the truth”.
In a sharp response shared on X shortly after the announcement, Dutta questioned the legitimacy of the disciplinary action and maintained that his removal was punishment for voicing uncomfortable realities rather than any genuine breach of party discipline. “After giving 13 yrs of my Youth to @AITCofficial, working incessantly to prove myself, rising through the ranks due to sheer performance (because I, am NOT a nepo kid) – my beloved party has SUSPENDED ME FOR 6 YEARS! Why? Because I, spoke the truth.” he wrote in his post.
Dutta highlighted that he had promptly replied to the show-cause notice issued on Friday, May 8, yet the party pressed ahead with the suspension. He attached images of the official suspension order alongside his detailed explanatory letter submitted to party headquarters in the post.
“The Suspension Notice says I didn’t meet the disciplinary committee, whereas within the stipulated time – I, did file my reply at Party HQs (Trinamool Bhavan) on 09.05.2026 at 11:27am. Probably the Notice was typed before reading my reply. Thank You All India Trinamool Congress! I, promise “I WILL BE BACK” !! See You Soon!” he added.
After giving 13 yrs of my Youth to @AITCofficial , working incessantly to prove myself, rising through the ranks due to sheer performance (because I, am NOT a nepo kid) – my beloved party has SUSPENDED ME FOR 6 YEARS !
Why? Because I, spoke the truth.
The Suspension Notice… pic.twitter.com/HHulFLThzU
— 𝐑𝐢𝐣𝐮 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐚 (@DrRijuDutta_TMC) May 9, 2026
According to the suspension directive from TMC’s Kolkata headquarters, Dutta received a show-cause notice for statements against the party. It added that the disciplinary panel waited until 5 pm on the set date, but he neither appeared nor clarified his stance.
Suspension Trigger
Tensions boiled recently over Dutta’s disclosure that party insiders pushed him to sling insults at BJP leaders in election rallies. He issued a public apology to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, now West Bengal Chief Minister, for prior barbs, and noted BJP leaders aided his protection after the poll results.
“I was forced to say those things for my family’s safety. Today I can see the difference. When my car was passing a celebration, the BJP karyakartas could have assaulted me, but no, they said “let Riju da pass”. BJP leaders from Delhi & State have said to me “don’t worry, nobody will harm you or your family” whereas TMC used to threaten me. I am just a spokesperson and worker, not a leader,” he said in a video message.
Incidentally before the results were announced, Dutta had issued a direct threat to IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma, who was deployed as a Police Observer in the sensitive Diamond Harbour constituency of South 24 Parganas. “We will hunt you down Ajay Pal Sharma and drag you out of your hideout after we win. Your masters in Delhi won’t save you,” he had said.
Dutta’s TMC Profile
Riju Dutta emerged as a sharp TMC voice, frequently defending the party on TV panels and political forums. His fierce barbs at the BJP cemented his status in West Bengal circles.
Starting as a youth wing member, he climbed to official spokesperson, appearing on national channels regularly.
In 2021, Uttar Pradesh police lodged an FIR against him for sharing a purportedly manipulated video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi online. He later grabbed headlines by targeting influencers with complaints over vulgar attacks on TMC leader and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
