The attempted coup against the Soviet government in 1991 was led by hard-line elements of Soviet government and the military. The coup attempt was seen as evidence of a decline in Gorbachev's power and influence, while one of his most ardent opponents, Boris Yeltsin, came out with more power than ever.
Just three days after it began, the coup against the Soviet leader collapsed. Despite his success in avoiding removal from office, from that point Gorbachev's days in power were numbered.
