The rivalry between New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio came into sharp relief again Wednesday. During a series of dueling media appearances about the winter storm, the two Democrats took some extra time to trade barbs with each other.

The latest scuffle started over whether actor and activist Cynthia Nixon might mount a primary challenge against Cuomo. Nixon, an ally of the mayor's, said "maybe" when asked about a run in January. Now with the Sex in the City star reportedly talking with political advisers, Cuomo was asked if he thought de Blasio was putting her up to it.

"I think it was probably either the mayor of New York or Vladimir Putin," said Cuomo, adding with a cackle, "Russian interference?"

At his own press briefing an hour later on the monthly crime statistics — and the weather — the mayor didn't deny urging Nixon to get into the race. He said she was a "strong, independent woman" who would make up her own mind.

"I'm not going to go into any private conversations with a friend, obviously. But whatever she does, she's going to be a politically active person, she always has been," said de Blasio.

He did say he's not surprised that someone would consider challenging the governor from the left, "because the progressives in the party are ascendant and they want to see a Democratic party that is true to its original values." He also blamed Cuomo for failing to unite the Democrats and allowing Republican-control of the State Senate.

Not to be outdone, Cuomo returned to the airwaves just as de Blasio's press conference ended. Telephoning in an appearance to NY1, he laid into the mayor’s handling of homelessness, Rikers Island and NYCHA, saying real progressives achieve results.

"I believe when you go to the pearly gates and our Lord says, 'Have you been a good progressive?' he says, 'Show me the list of what you got done,'" Cuomo said.

Then the governor went on to do at least three other live broadcast interviews.