Former allies and political foes alike are speaking out against Cuomo, including the progressive Working Families Party, which on Tuesday called for an end to his "reign of fear, harassment and intimidation".

"We are calling on Governor Cuomo to resign immediately because he is unfit to serve the people of New York," WFP State Director Sochie Nnaemeka said.

Progressives on the Democratic governor's left are increasingly joining Republicans in calling on him to step down.

"New Yorkers deserve a governor who protects and lifts up the residents of this state," Nnaemeka said.

"Instead, Andrew Cuomo has only protected himself while harassing, threatening and silencing others."

The governor initially resisted calls for an independent investigation but agreed to a probe led by Attorney-General Letitia James, which began to take shape on Monday.

However some lawmakers believe he should face impeachment in light of the latest accusations and the administration's handling of nursing home deaths during the COVID-19 crisis.

"The accounts of sexual harassment from the women who have courageously come forward confirm what many in Albany have known for years: that Governor Cuomo uses his power to belittle, bully and harass his employees and colleagues," a group of six legislators, all Democratic socialists, said in a statement.

"It is time for the legislature to demand accountability."

State lawmakers are already poised to roll back Cuomo's expansive COVID executive authority, a move set in motion weeks ago as the nursing home scandal erupted and consumed the administration.

Republicans have slammed Democrats, who control both chambers in the State Capitol, for not acting faster to rescind the governor's pandemic powers.

Separately, Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, a Bronx Democrat, joined a growing number of rank and file state legislators and party stalwarts who are openly revolting against the state's most powerful man.

Cuomo has denied he ever "inappropriately touched anybody" or "propositioned anyone" and apologised on Sunday, saying "some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as an unwanted flirtation".

That statement came after two former aides went public with detailed accounts of improper behavior on part of the governor.

Charlotte Bennett, 25, who accused Cuomo of asking inappropriate and personal questions about her sex life, including whether she ever slept with older men, rejected the governor's attempted apology.

Lindsey Boylan, a former economic development adviser, came forward days earlier to say the governor created a toxic workplace and once subjected her to an unwanted kiss.

Calls for Cuomo's ouster multiplied on Monday night when a third woman went public claiming he had made her deeply uncomfortable during an encounter at a 2019 Manhattan wedding.

Anna Ruch, 33, told The New York Times the governor approached her, put his hand on her bare back and then clasped her head in his hands and said: "Can I kiss you?"

Australian Associated Press