Belagavi, Nov. 15 -- Suspended BJP MLA and Siddhasiri Multi-state Cooperative Society president Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Sunday strongly defended the society's investment of Rs 1,065.81 crore in Chincholi Sugar and Bio Industries Ltd, rejecting allegations of financial irregularities and diversion of cooperative funds to a company where his son is a director.

Breaking his silence on the observations raised by the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS) over the society's financial transactions, Yatnal maintained that there was no financial misconduct, violation of law or misuse of members' money, and claimed that the society had satisfactorily answered all the questions raised by the central authority.

The CRCS had specifical...