Overwhelmed by allegations of sexual harassment, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democratic Party leader once hailed as a champion of women's rights, is the latest American politician to fall in disgrace.

Cuomo, who emerged as an international Television star with a following even in India for his daily briefings on Covid-19 during the early days of the pandemic, announced his resignation on Monday hoping to keep at bay impeachment by the state legislature after defying calls to resign by his party leaders including US President Joe Biden.

 An investigative report released last week said he had harassed 11 women, including a woman police bodyguard and the state legislature began impeachment proceedings which were sure to lead to his conviction. Even though his own Democratic Party held a majority in both chambers, he had antagonised virtually everyone across party lines and it was seen as payback time for his arrogance and the humiliation he meted out.

 Cuomo has denied the most serious allegations against him and acknowledged that his "instinct is to fight." But he said the impeachment process would take months and consume resources that should go toward "managing Covid, guarding against the delta variant, reopening upstate, fighting gun violence and saving New York City."

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