DMK leader MK Stalin on Wednesday said that his party would continue protesting against Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, till he is recalled by the the Central government.

Talking to reporters in Chennai, he said the Governor is acting as if there is President's rule in the state, while protests are being held statewide to demand his recall.

DMK activists protested outside Raj Bhavan against the Governor, who had patted the cheek of a woman journalist, while Stalin termed the act "a shame" for the state.

Purohit on Tuesday patted the cheek of journalist Lakshmi Subramanian after the press conference to deny the allegations linking him to a sex scandal at Madurai Kamaraj University in the state.

Subramanian denounced Purohit's conduct.

Journalists promptly drafted a letter informing the Governor that his conduct amounted to a non-bailable criminal offence.

On Wednesday, Purohit apologised to Subramanian, who tweeted that she accepts the apology but not the reason stated in Purohit's letter - of the pat being appreciation for the question asked in the press meet.

Meanwhile, the sex-for-cash scandal has kicked up a storm in the state. 

Earlier, PMK leader S Ramadoss on Tuesday said committees appointed by Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and the Vice Chancellor of Madurai Kamaraj University PP Chellathurai to probe an alleged sexual trafficking complaint were not legally valid.

"Governor Purohit is only a Chancellor of the University. He does not have the power to govern or probe malpractices in the colleges," Ramadoss said.

He said only a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe was justified.

On Monday, Governor Purohit and Chellathurai had ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter by a retired IAS officer, R Santhanam.

Chellathurai told reporters in New Delhi on Monday that a five-member committee had been constituted to investigate the case.