Two Market Basket executives who were fired Tuesday say the move was part of an effort to silence employees who oppose changes the company's board of directors and some shareholders want to make to the company.

One of Market Basket’s founding family members, Arthur T. Demoulas, is blasting away at the private equity group that has a major ownership stake and he says is ruining the company. The chain has dozens of locations across New England, including two in Rhode Island.

The ongoing battle for control of Market Basket grocery stores appears poised to drag on for more than another month.