"claim" being the keyword here.

Yes, I am pointing to how any group can claim to be representing the best interests of the people, but they rarely do - regardless of anything whatsoever. I don't really see how direct democracy can involve any form of 'committee' since committees inherently create a form of hierarchy.
I would be interested to see the logic of how this might not be the case.

A life long position held by one is corruptible, but held by many and divided up is much less so.

Life long positions are inherently inviting corruption, yes - however, my point is that the current systems typically involve a 3/4 year position that cycles to different people - but that doesn't in any way result in reduced corruption.. it just means that the people involved shape their groups to give the appearance of change taking place over time when it isn't.

I suspect that Lenin and Marx were both bad actors (trojan horses) sent in to create a new form of dictatorship that 'the people' would buy in to.