New Delhi: Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) today (May 18, 2004) said it had no problem in accepting senior 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 (Bharatiya Janata Party)," party leader Somnath Chatterjee said.

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He was asked whether Singh would be acceptable to allies if Congress president Sonia Gandhi opted out of race for Prime Ministership.

The CPM 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 said.