Ahead of the Assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh, long time Chief Minister Gegong Apang has joined the Janata Dal (Secular), the party headed by former Prime Minister H D Devegowda.

The formal joining of Apang was held at Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang district on Wednesday, in the presence of Devegowda, sources close to the former chief minister said here Thursday.

The decision to this effect was taken during a meeting held at Pasighat, he said.

After joining the party, Apang while talking to reporters said, "The JD (S) has a secular outlook and therefore we have decided now we will be together".

The former Arunchal Pradesh chief minister, who ruled the state for 23 in the past, resigned from the BJP on January 15 this year accusing the partys leadership of using every dirty trick to get to the power.

Apang was elected as MLA seven times.

The veteran Arunchal Pradesh politician was seen at Mamata Banerjee's January 19 opposition parties rally as well in the recent anti-BJP conclave at Delhi hosted by Arvind Kejriwal.

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