The correct answer is:
C. His reforms were empowering people to rise up against the Soviet government.
Explanation:
Hardline communist leaders resented Mikhail Gorbachev because his reforms, known as Perestroika and Glasnost, aimed at opening up the Soviet system, allowing more political and economic freedoms. These reforms threatened the traditional power structure and control of the communist party, empowering people to speak out against the government and leading to movements for independence in Soviet republics. This shift towards openness and democratization went against the strict control and ideology of hardline communists, causing resentment towards Gorbachev's leadership.