The Communist Party of India-Marxist on Tuesday said it had no problem in accepting Congress leader Manmohan Singh as head of the new coalition government.

"We have no problem with Manmohan Singh. He is one of the most decent persons, a knowledgeable economist and I will opt for him any time over any person in the BJP," party leader Somnath Chatterjee said.

He was asked whether Singh would be acceptable to allies if Congress president Sonia Gandhi refused to become prime minister.

The CPI-M leader parried a question whether the allies were working overtime to persuade Gandhi not to opt out, saying his party was "trying to stand on certain principles.

The Constitution does not prohibit her from becoming the prime minister. Besides, the Congress Parliamentary Party has elected her as its leader."

He also said Gandhi's children Rahula nd Priyanka fear for her life and they are dissuading her to be PM.